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In a landmark case, a security guard secured a historic religious accommodation, protecting him from any forced payments to unions.
Foundation Attorneys Secure Groundbreaking Settlement
The National Right to Work Foundation, known for defending workers who oppose paying union dues on religious grounds, achieved a significant victory in 2024. Thomas Ross, a security guard for Allied Universal in San Francisco, was granted a religious exemption from paying dues to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) affiliate. This settlement not only relieves Ross of the obligation to pay union dues but also exempts him from making charitable donations equivalent to the dues, which was a common practice in past cases.
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Union Violated Federal Laws, Worker Fought Back
Ross, a devout Christian, requested a religious accommodation when he was hired in 2020, explaining that his faith prohibited union affiliation. Both the union and his employer, Allied Universal, ignored this request, with the employer insisting in 2022 that he join the union and pay dues. Ross responded by filing federal discrimination charges and unfair labor practice claims with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Thanks to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Ross had a strong legal foundation. After a lengthy battle, the SEIU and Allied Universal finally settled, granting Ross a full religious accommodation and freeing him from union payments while employed.
This case sets a new precedent for religious objectors to union membership and payment. The National Right to Work Foundation sees this as a step towards broader protections for workers’ religious freedoms.
