Even after gasoline spiked to $6 a gallon and highlighted the fragile state of finances for many families, some workers in California are doing all they can to avoid getting a significant pay raise. Voters will decide whether or not the workers should be forced to keep more of their own money when they vote next week, but polls show the race is too close call.

Unions now collect dues in California and most other states without asking for permission or explaining why they want the money. This ready access to funding has made organized labor a political powerhouse with enough revenue to place it in the top third of the Fortune 500 list of the nation’s largest corporations.

In November, California voters will have the chance to end automatic deductions of union dues used for political purposes. Dues now average about $1,000 a year, but would fall sharply if the ballot measure passes. Unions would still be able to automatically deduct the amount they need to pay for collective-bargaining efforts.

However, unions would be forced to seek donations to fund their political activities under the new rules. As teachers in Wisconsin demonstrated last year, given the freedom to choose, a majority decide to keep their own money.

This ballot initiative has already been defeated twice before. Voters have chosen to allow unions to remain unaccountable political powers rather than boost their own take home pay.

Maybe this time will be different. California is facing a daunting budget deficit and families could use the pay raise to meet the new taxes and user fees that are needed to balance the state budget.