Dues

What about union dues?

First of all, no one pays a penny in dues until we all bargain a union contract, and until that contract is voted on by the members. When we have a union contract we are satisfied with, and only after we vote “yes” for that contract, then dues kick in.

Once a contract is agreed upon by the union, every member will be asked to contribute dues to our union. This will help fund our union’s ongoing organizing and activities. Dues are a way to keep the union running so we have an infrastructure to fight for a strong contract and better working conditions.

The union is a non-profit; all the money goes back into the membership. Dues for CWA are $1-2 per hundred dollars on base pay. There are no dues on bonuses, commission, or overtime. The dues vary slightly between locals. Dues for CWA Local 2336 are 1.3%. Local 1400 are 1.6%. And Local 13000 dues are 1.45%.

All members are encouraged to actively participate in decision-making and input processes throughout contract bargaining, and will have a vote on the contract. People will see what’s in our contract before we pay a penny in dues. If we believe the contract is good, we’ll vote it up and only then will dues begin.

How are dues used?

CWA members decide how their dues money is spent. Of each dollar, $0.53 is spent by your Local Union for repre­sen­­tation in day-to-day prob­lems, grievances, training programs, education and member communications; $0.36 is spent by the national union to provide legal and on-the-job representation, contract negotiations and contract enforcement; and $0.11 is dedicated to the CWA member relief fund to support members who vote to strike.

Can dues be changed?

Only the elected local union delegates can decide to raise dues you pay . The elected delegates to national conventions can vote a special assessment if the membership feels that extra money is needed for an emergency, but that hasn’t happened in the past 25 years. Special assessments by individual local unions, which are also rare, must first be approved by a secret-ballot vote of the members.