Why Should I Pay Dues?

If the Union cost nothing, it probably would not be worth anything.

In some Unions, there are no dues. The employer takes care of running the expenses of the Union; sometimes it even supplies recreational facilities. In these Unions, the employer also names the officers and Shop Stewards and settles the grievances. The employer sits on both sides of the bargaining table and the worker is in the middle getting squeezed and has no voice.

In legitimate Unions, the workers pay the cost. They know that they will get out of the Union what they put into it. Union dues pay for a variety of services including: operating a local Union, costs associated with bargaining, hiring staff, legal services, sending members and the Executive Board to Conferences, Strike Funds, Insurance, Education and per capita portions to the Coalition. Not all Unions in Canada are part of a Coalition.

A portion of Union dues is spent on organizing the unorganized. About one-third of all Canadian workers are represented by Unions. There are literally millions of people with protection and employers are able to use these workers to under cut hard-won and decent contracts. How much we get in wages and benefits depends on how strongly we are organized. In elections, money spent for organizing is spent winning gains for us.

Your Union dues are broken down as follows:

• CSU 52 Dues – 9/16 of your gross bi-weekly salary + $6.00 flat fee

Dues are not paid on any overtime worked.