Today’s Boston Herald posted a story about a retired U.S. Marine who runs a high school ROTC program in Worcester.  Major Stephen L. Godin has been told that he will be fired if he does not pay union dues.  Major Godin is the senior naval science instructor at the Naval Junior ROTC Unit of North High School. 

According to the article:

“Major Godin, a 20-year Marine veteran until 1994, who flew F-4 Phantoms and was deployed five times, said he refuses to join the union because he receives all his benefits, including health insurance and half his salary, from the military. Unlike other teachers, he doesn’t earn a stipend for after-school activities, such as the hours he spends coaching the high school’s regional champion drill team. His salary is dictated by the U.S. Military, not labor negotiators, Godin said.”

I guess I just don’t understand.  Why should anyone be forced to join a union or pay union dues?  This is the battle that Governor Christie is fighting in New Jersey.  The unions have taken over the schools and state jobs, and their demands are such that New Jersey (and other states) are going bankrupt.  If the man is doing a good job, and his job is not paid by teh City of Worcester, someone needs to tell the unions to go away.