How Much Might It Cost Me
Dues
Q.
Would paying union dues and fees be optional?
A.
No. In states like California that do not have the Right-to-Work law, unions can – and often do – negotiate a Union Security clause. A Union Security clause states that members of the bargaining unit must pay dues or agency fees, or the organization must terminate them.
NLRB.gov: Employer/Union Rights and Obligations
Q.
How much are union dues?
A.
Dues are set by individual unions based on the union’s rules. On average, dues range from 1-2% of gross earnings. A union may also charge a one-time initiation fee. Often unions will waive this one-time fee for the initial bargaining unit members and charge any new members. A union may increase dues at any time.
Q.
What is an agency fee?
A.
Agency fees are offered to members of a bargaining unit who have a verified reason (such as religious beliefs) not to pay the full amount of union dues. In many cases, agency fees are just a small percentage less than full dues and individuals who pay them are typically not allowed to vote on important union business like whether to ratify the collective bargaining agreement, go out on strike, or who the union steward(s) will be.
NLRB.gov: Employer/Union Rights and Obligations
Q.
Who decides how much dues and fees are?
A.
The union decides how much dues are, and the union has the sole discretion to raise dues at any time. Dues amounts are not part of the collective bargaining process.
Unions are also allowed to charge members fines and assessments, which might be outlined in the union’s constitution and by-laws.
NLRB.gov: Union Dues
Seniority
Q.
What is seniority?
A.
Labor contracts are typically governed by seniority, which can be defined in a few ways including:
- Length of time that an individual has been with the employer;
- Length of time that an individual has been in a specific position; or
- Length of time that an individual has been a member of the union.
Seniority typically governs pay, how schedules are determined, how PTO or time off is approved, and how promotions are assigned.