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What are Union Dues?
Union dues are the regular fees or payments that union members are required to pay to their labor union. Labor unions were created by workers to negotiate with employers for higher wages, better working conditions, more benefits, and other fair employment practices.
Union dues money is used to fund the activities of the union, i.e., organizing campaigns, legal representation, advocacy efforts, member services, education and training programs, as well as administrative expenses.
How Much are Union Dues?
Union dues can vary for numerous reasons, like specific union policy, industry, and region. The particular amount of union dues is generally negotiated in collective bargaining or set forth in the union’s constitution.
The union members usually pay a percentage for being members or a scale from his/her salary, done weekly per paycheck. The rate or to a certain amount varies greatly within the union, and it depends on their particular rules. A common ballpark figure is that union dues are between 1% and 2% of a worker’s gross earnings. Please note, though, that this is a range, and depending on the contract you actually wind up getting, your dues could be above or below it.
Can I Get My Union Dues Back?
The following are common situations when you may be refunded the union dues.
- Overpayment: If you have made an overpayment in your union dues as a result of administrative processes or calculations, you may also receive a refund for the excess pay.
- Resignation or termination: If you resign from the union or your employment is terminated, and if there is any unused portion of the membership term remaining, you may receive a refund equal to the pro rata balance of membership term dues paid that is applicable to that portion of the period.
- Objector status: In some regions, people who are covered by a contract that has been agreed to by a union (but who have chosen not to join that union) may instead choose to become an “objector” (also known as a “fair share fee payer”).
Can I Refuse to Pay Union Dues?
Some instances when it comes to paying union dues are the following.
- Right-to-work laws: In certain jurisdictions, laws exist whereby employees have the right but not the obligation to either join or support a union financially as a condition of employment.
- Agency fees or fair share fees: Some areas let the EMT worker opt out of being a full union member, but still may require that they pay agency fees or fair share amounts.
- Religious or conscientious objections: There are some instances where employees have religious or ethical beliefs that prohibit them from funding a union.
- Legal challenges or opt-out options: In some circumstances, litigation or court orders may create chances for employees to stop paying the dues or question the mandate.
Also, See: Hazard Pay
