How much are union dues?
USW dues are 1.55 percent of total monthly earnings, plus 2 cents per hour worked. (Each local union can democratically decide to establish a dues cap so that in no event shall monthly dues be more than 3 times the member’s average hourly earnings.) The ‘cents per hour’ portion is a flat rate and is therefore unaffected by increases in salary. Dues are tax deductible and no dues are paid until after the members have ratified their first collective agreement. The 1.55 percent portion includes .1 percent as a special amount in the USW’s District 6 (Ontario and the Atlantic provinces) to fund enhanced strike benefits in the District. No dues are paid by members off work because of a leave of absence, layoff, injury or sickness. Dues are deducted pursuant to the terms of a collective agreement or by agreement with the employer, not by virtue of certification. Accordingly, dues are not paid until after the ratification of a first USW collective agreement by the new membership. And there are
