DUES
Union Costs
In this video Carolyn Cramsey, with Ciocca operations, explains the costs associated with joining a union, whether you voted for the union or not, and what you would have to pay to the union to keep your job.
How much are union dues?
According to the USWU, IUJAT annual LM2 report, they charged between $16 - $104 in base dues per month + $0.30 per hour in working dues. The more you work, the more money you pay to the union in dues.
Unions are permitted to increase the amount of dues members are required to pay. And remember, this does not include any fines, fees, or assessments.
What if I don’t want to join the union or pay dues?
Under New Jersey law, you are not required to join the union as a member, but you likely would still be required to pay a large portion of the dues, which are called “agency fees”. If the union does win, opting out of joining the union may not be in your best interest because the terms of any contract negotiated apply to you, and you do not get to vote on the ratification of the contract if you are not a member of the union.
How does the union collect union dues?
If a union gets voted in, they will likely seek to collect union dues from your paycheck each week. That would be one of their proposals in the collective bargaining process. If union was successful in negotiating that, the dues would be automatically deducted from your paycheck. If a union gets voted in, you will likely have to pay union dues just to keep your job.
Wouldn't we control how our dues are spent?
No. All spending decisions are made by the union to support the union's overall operations. All unions are required to report their receipts and disbursements in an annual report with the Department of Labor.
Can the Union collect other monies besides dues?
Yes, the Union can also charge its members initiation fees and other fines, fees and assessments, such as a fine for crossing an established picket line. According to the USWU, IUJAT annual LM2 report, each new member paid between $50 and $500 in initiation fees.