These comments seem to have MERIT! Yes you do pay dues when you are a member of a Union. However, as a member of a Union you work for a contractor that believes in treating his employees with respect and dignity. You are paid wages, pension, and health benefits according to a contract agreement between union and the employer. Your conditions of work are spelled out in this agreement. Safety issues are addressed in this agreement. You have a spokesman on the job, and a Business Manager to protect your rights in the work place because of this agreement.
So what does this have to do with union dues? Well those of you who do not belong to the union may not realize that you pay Non-Union Dues. What, you say, "I don't pay any dues!" Well, consider this:
Traditionally Union Contractors pay higher wages and benefits than non-union contractors. Right now Union Plumbers & Pipe fitters doing journeyman level work earn $30.88 ON THE CHECK per hour, with a total package including all the fringe benefits of $49.52 per hour.
Now add up your hourly wages and benefits, and subtract that figure from the above. If the difference is $1.00 per hour, on a forty hour week in a four week month, you are shorted pay of $160.00 per month. If you are paid $22.00 per hour, that is a difference of $8.88 per hour just in wages or approximately $1,420.80 per month, not including company furnished medical, two pensions, and training at no additional cost to you. These are the actual non-union dues that you are paying by working for your contractor!
So, who is taking care of you? Who is getting fat off their employees? Who is paying someone to work?
Think about this the next time your contractor tells you that the Union will not do anything for you. Ask yourself, " Who is he really trying to protect?"
For more information contact an Organizer in your area.
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