Union Dues - Fact vs. Fiction

DUES STRUCTURE

• For unions, operational funding comes directly (and exclusively) from the members in the form of Dues.

• Presently, membership dues are one hundred percent (100%) tax deductible,

• Under the IBEW Constitution, the formula for determining the amount paid by the members is developed by the Local Union and approved by the general membership.

• There can be no change to the dues formula without a vote of the membership where more than 50% of those voting support such a change.

• There can be no special levies or assessments introduced or established by the Local Union without a vote of the membership where more than 50% of those voting support such a change.

• Some local unions have fixed rates established, while others calculate the dues based on the earnings of the members.

  • Often, the fixed monthly amount fails to keep up with the ever-increasing costs faced by the resulting in periodic requests for dues increases that are never popular.

  • A dues formula based on a percentage of earnings provides increased operating income as wages were increased through negotiations and eliminates the need for increased appeals since our revenues would be automatically adjusted.

• The Executive Board of Local 636 has set the dues structure at one point one percent (1.1%) of the member's gross monthly earnings - exclusive of overtime - plus the prevailing International Union per capita tax (which in 2023 was set at $22/member/month).