Is union membership mandatory?
No, union membership is voluntary. Once we win the election, only members will serve on the Bargaining Team and in leadership positions, and only members will be able to vote on a contract. However, the union will have a duty to represent all of the visiting staff at the University who are in the bargaining unit, whether they are members or not. In other words, everyone will enjoy the gains in job security, wages, benefits, and help with grievances. Since such improvements are enjoyed universally, many of IEA’s higher education locals have negotiated “fair share” clauses into their contracts. In such instances, faculty and staff in represented bargaining units who decide not to be members do not pay dues, but still pay a fair share fee. It will be up to us whether we want such a clause in our contract.
