HOW ABOUT UNION DUES?
Consider union dues like job insurance - all dues collected are used to provide services for our members when they need them. As a union member with the USW you have a democratic voice, and vote, in how dues dollars are spent. And because the union is not-for-profit organization, union dues are tax deductible.
Where Do My Union Dues Go?
· To negotiate your conditions of work in a legally binding contract
· To force the company to abide to the agreed to conditions
To give you:
· Wage and benefit protection
· Respect and dignity at work
· Job security
To protect you:
· Against employer favouritism
· Unfair treatment from employer for unjust discipline or termination
To provide:
· A healthy and safe workplace
· Negotiation of benefits
· Educational training opportunities
To represent you:
· In grievances and arbitrations
· With EI and WSIB when needed
How Are Dues Calculated?
Steelworkers dues are 1.55% of your gross earnings plus $0.02 cents per hour worked.
For Example: If you work 40 hours and earn $1000/ week your dues for the week are $1000x 1.55% plus 40 hours x 2 cents, ($15.50 + $0.80 cents = $16.30)
The Facts About Union Dues
Many employers try to convince employees not to join the union by making untrue and misleading arguments about union dues. But ask yourself: why is your employer suddenly concerned about how you spend the money you earn?
Having a unionized workplace means you and your coworkers will have a meaningful say in your workplace.
Not all unions are created equal.
HERE ARE THE FACTS ABOUT UNITED STEELWORKER UNION DUES:
· You will not pay any initiation fees to join the Steelworkers. Only the employees who are newly hired after you and your co-workers have a union contract will pay a one-time $10.00 initiation fee.
· The USW is a democratic union – one member, one vote. Union members have a say where their dues money is spent. Below is a break down of how every dollar is used to help defend your rights and help you win a strong collective agreement.
$0.44 cents to your local union – YOU have a say in how this money is spent, both within your local and in your community.
$0.44 cents to the USW administrative operations – trained Staff Representatives, legal resources, economist and pension specialists and WBIS and EI advocates – you are never alone!
$0.07 cents to the Defense Fund – giving unions strength when bargaining with employers and ensure workers receive a fair share of their company’s success. Your hard work is what makes them profitable!
$0.03 cents (plus the 2 cents/hr) to the Organizing Fund – this helps unorganized workers form their own union, like you!
$0.01 cents to the Education Fund – helping educate our members to be confident and effective health and safety representatives, financial stewards and human rights activists in their workplaces and local unions. As a member, these educational opportunities are available to you!
$0.01 cents to the Political Action Fund – this helps to lobby the government to create and pass legislation that protects workers rights. People should come before profits – always.
· The Steelworkers are a registered non-profit workers’ organization, therefore union dues are tax deductible for you as a member.
· You DON’T pay any union dues…
until you and your co-workers have voted to accept your first United Steelworkers union contract. You pay dues from this point forward only.
if you are off work for an injury, illness, layoff, or any unpaid leave of absence.
· Union dues are accountable to you, the members. The USW believes in financial transparency. Local and International Union accounts are audited regularly and an international public audit is conducted every 2 years. All financial information is available to every member.
· Union dues that are paid by our Canadian members are collected, banked, and spent in Canada for the benefit of Steelworker Canadian members.
· Your company pays dues too! Similar to workers’ unions, companies pay dues to entities like the Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Manufacturers’ Association and other business groups. Organizations like these represent employer interests and lobby the government to keep your wages and benefits low, and to weaken labour laws, minimum standards and health and safety regulations.
If it’s alright for companies to pay dues to their unions, why should employers convince their employees against it?