Your Union Dues
Q:
What do dues pay for?
A: By becoming a part of SEIU Local 509 (11,000 members in Massachusetts) and the Service Employees International Union (over 2 million members across the United States and Canada), you will have a large staff and a wealth of resources at your disposal.
You will have an experienced staff person to work with you, and you will be able to tap into a wide range of expertise: for contract language, health & safety information, legal staff, the support of a larger labor movement, a research department, steward training, problem-solving strategies, and so much more.
All these resources are paid for entirely by members' dues. The Local's budget is set by the Joint Executive Board, an elected body of rank and file union members representing all the different parts of the Union.
|
Q: When do we start paying dues?
A: Nobody will pay dues until a first contract has been negotiated and passed by a majority of the members.
Q: Is there an initiation fee?
A: No, SEIU Local 509 has no initiation fee.
Q: Will everyone have to pay dues?
A: That depends on what you and your agency negotiate in the contract. By law, we are obligated to represent all people equally. This means that all contract provisions apply regardless of membership, and the Union must represent and advocate for non-members and members alike.
|
|
|
Q: How much are union dues?
A: Local 509 dues are on a sliding scale depending on salary and sector. The following is the dues structure for 2009:
| |
A. The dues for this Local shall be 1.5% of gross income for all members with a maximum of $16.20 per week for each week worked, exclusive of overtime. For private sector members the rate shall apply to the first 40 hours of work each week. There shall be a minimum of $2.85 per week.
|
| |
| B. Retired members pay $1.25 per week. |
|
|
|
|
|
C. Employees of the Commonwealth of Mass Units 8 and 10 who are collecting worker’s compensation or are on unpaid medical leavepay $5.00 per week.
|
|
|