What is fair share fee?
A. The law states that the exclusive bargaining representative has the duty of their fair representation. This means that the exclusive bargaining representative (MEA) is charged with the duty to represent each member of its bargaining unit fairly and without discrimination. Since all employees in the bargaining unit, including non-members, have a right to be fairly represented, they have a corresponding duty to bear a proportionate share of the cost of such representation. The fair share fee for non-members is equal to the unified dues amount that members pay. Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 4117.09 allows for fair share fee if negotiated in the local association bargaining contract. MEA has bargained such a contract.
