How do I become a member? For GAs and TAs, most health insurance orientations feature a union presentation where membership forms are distributed (yellow forms sometimes called DAC's (Dues Authorization Cards)). If you have not filled out one of those and turned it into a union rep., you can now download the form here: MEMBERSHIP FORM. Fill it in and send it to CWA1104/GSEU, 107 Murray St., Binghamton, NY 13905 or CWA1104 1 Florgate Rd. Farmingdale, NY 11735. We encourage you to send it "return receipt requested," so that you have confirmation.
What are dues? Unions need money to operate. Dues are the mechanism by which workers contribute a percentage of their wages, salary, or stipend to their union. Dues are usually deducted from one's paycheck.
How much do I pay? Up until recently, GSEU was careful to maintain the minimum dues allowable by the Communications Workers of America, 1.15% because it is understood that our members are more impoverished than most union members. The merger agreement between GSEU/CWA 1188, CWA 1112, and CWA 1104 included a provision to raise all dues to 2%. This was enacted in 2003.
If I'm not a member, must I pay dues? Members (those who have signed a yellow "Dues Authorization Card") pay union dues and therefore have the right to run for union office and vote in union elections while non-members (those who have not signed "Dues Authorization Cards") pay an "agency shop fee" equal to the amount a member pays in dues and do not have the right to run for union office or vote in union elections. The difference is that while the union dues may go to any legal union function, "agency shop fees" may only be spent on collective bargaining, the negotiation and enforcement of the contract between the union and the employer, members' meetings, and so forth. Because members and non-members pay the same amount (2%) and because members have greater control over their union via elections, we encourage all GAs and TAs to sign Dues Authorization Cards. If you have not done so, you may request a DAC/membership form from your union representative or from the Local's main office (1 Florgate Rd, Farmingdale, NY 11735).
My religion (or other belief) prohibits supporting union-associated activity. How can I cease paying the union? Since all GAs and TAs benefit from the union and because GSEU/CWA 1104 is a fairly peaceful union, we discourage GAs and TAs from pursuing non-payment of dues or agency fees. However, the fact is, GAs and TAs who have not signed DACs can get their dues reduced by precisely the percentage not spent on the sanctioned activities of collective bargaining, contract enforcement, contract administration, formal and informal meetings with management/the employer, discussion of work-related issues with bargaining unit members, handling grievances, and union administration. The only CWA 1104 activity that does not feed into these categories is external organizing (organizing of RAs, for example). If you are dead-set on reducing dues even if it inhibits the protection of workers, we refer you to CWA's instructions on becoming an "Agency Fee Objector" (click here) which includes rules regarding the timing of objections and what an objector will likely receive in terms of information and refund (which may be precious close to $0).
Again, we feel compelled to emphasize that the raises, lump sums, professional development funds, health insurance, recruitment and retention funds, sick leave, holiday leave, parking fee discounts or waivers, workplace protections, etc. stem from the efforts of your union. It is important that the union remain solvent. True, we would like to see CWA 1104 spend money more responsibly, but we believe that this can be achieved more efficiently by voting in new, more responsible officers than by trying to circumvent the dues structure. We offer the above because we believe that transparency and the free exchange of information makes the union and its members stronger.
How much do I pay? Up until recently, GSEU was careful to maintain the minimum dues allowable by the Communications Workers of America, 1.15% because it is understood that our members are more impoverished than most union members. The merger agreement between GSEU/CWA 1188, CWA 1112, and CWA 1104 included a provision to raise all dues to 2%. This was enacted in 2003.
If I'm not a member, must I pay dues? Members (those who have signed a yellow "Dues Authorization Card") pay union dues and therefore have the right to run for union office and vote in union elections while non-members (those who have not signed "Dues Authorization Cards") pay an "agency shop fee" equal to the amount a member pays in dues and do not have the right to run for union office or vote in union elections. The difference is that while the union dues may go to any legal union function, "agency shop fees" may only be spent on collective bargaining, the negotiation and enforcement of the contract between the union and the employer, members' meetings, and so forth. Because members and non-members pay the same amount (2%) and because members have greater control over their union via elections, we encourage all GAs and TAs to sign Dues Authorization Cards. If you have not done so, you may request a DAC/membership form from your union representative or from the Local's main office (1 Florgate Rd, Farmingdale, NY 11735).
My religion (or other belief) prohibits supporting union-associated activity. How can I cease paying the union? Since all GAs and TAs benefit from the union and because GSEU/CWA 1104 is a fairly peaceful union, we discourage GAs and TAs from pursuing non-payment of dues or agency fees. However, the fact is, GAs and TAs who have not signed DACs can get their dues reduced by precisely the percentage not spent on the sanctioned activities of collective bargaining, contract enforcement, contract administration, formal and informal meetings with management/the employer, discussion of work-related issues with bargaining unit members, handling grievances, and union administration. The only CWA 1104 activity that does not feed into these categories is external organizing (organizing of RAs, for example). If you are dead-set on reducing dues even if it inhibits the protection of workers, we refer you to CWA's instructions on becoming an "Agency Fee Objector" (click here) which includes rules regarding the timing of objections and what an objector will likely receive in terms of information and refund (which may be precious close to $0).
Again, we feel compelled to emphasize that the raises, lump sums, professional development funds, health insurance, recruitment and retention funds, sick leave, holiday leave, parking fee discounts or waivers, workplace protections, etc. stem from the efforts of your union. It is important that the union remain solvent. True, we would like to see CWA 1104 spend money more responsibly, but we believe that this can be achieved more efficiently by voting in new, more responsible officers than by trying to circumvent the dues structure. We offer the above because we believe that transparency and the free exchange of information makes the union and its members stronger.
