FAQs
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Yes. Annual union dues can range from several hundred dollars to more than $1,000 per year depending on the union. Unions also can charge other fees, fine members for breaking their rules, or charge special assessments to members. Unions depend on the money they collect from members to run their business, which is why they fight so hard to organize employees.
Authorization cards generally look harmless – many times resembling a magazine subscription renewal card. Despite their simple appearance, however, a signed authorization card is a legal power of attorney that authorizes a union to act as the collective bargaining agent for employees in negotiations with the employer. The cards also provide the union with data about the employee, including their home address and telephone number, so the union representatives can contact the employee or visit them at home. The card may ask for information about salary, department, and type of work the employee performs.
Yes. Unions are businesses supported primarily through dues, fees, fines, and assessments charged to their members. By increasing membership, unions are able to generate more money.
A union campaign is an effort by the union to convince employees to become union members by signing authorization cards or by voting for the union in an election. Tactics used by unions during organizing campaigns may include visits to employees’ homes, phone calls and emails to employees, meetings on- and off-site, rallies, picketing, and publicly criticizing employees in the media, including newspapers, radio, TV, on the Internet and in social media.
Most unions employ a well-paid sales staff, called organizers, who are trained and responsible for organizing employees at targeted companies. These individuals are paid by the union to get employees to sign cards and join the union. The union organizer may use pro-union employees to convince their peers to sign an authorization card. These employees, sometimes called internal organizers, also may be paid by the union and promised a special position, such as union delegate or steward, if the union campaign is successful.
Yes. Annual union dues can range from several hundred dollars to more than $1,000 per year depending on the union. Unions also can charge other fees, fine members for breaking their rules, or charge special assessments to members. Unions depend on the money they collect from members to run their business, which is why they fight so hard to organize employees.
Authorization cards generally look harmless – many times resembling a magazine subscription renewal card. Despite their simple appearance, however, a signed authorization card is a legal power of attorney that authorizes a union to act as the collective bargaining agent for employees in negotiations with the employer. The cards also provide the union with data about the employee, including their home address and telephone number, so the union representatives can contact the employee or visit them at home. The card may ask for information about salary, department, and type of work the employee performs.
