American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

A class action lawsuit claims the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) union threatened termination of employment if the union was not supported. The suit claims that union officials violated employee's rights by making these threats and at the same time, failing to inform employees' of their right to refrain from formal union membership and payment of certain dues. AFTRA allegedly demanded union initiation fees, and insisted upon a dues "check off" card authorizing the automatic deduction of forced dues from plaintiff's paychecks.