Building a Stronger Union

Building a Stronger Union

Information and Updates on Restructuring Members' Dues

Green Projects Committee Members Sandy Brunelli, Mary Sherwin, and K.C. Alexander Reviewed Cost-Cutting and Eco-Friendly Proposals at the Union Hall in June 2009

At their February 2009 meeting, our Union's Executive Council adopted a more progressive dues structure for active members to be implemented over a two-year period. The plan is based on 1% of members' annual earnings, with minimum and maximum rates set for our Union's three active divisions.

The Great Recession of 2008 has placed serious challenges in our path, and the new dues structure was needed to improve our civil service protection and grievance representation, and build strength for current and future contract negotiations. The plan our Executive Council approved will empower our Union to:

Increase membership unity;
Gain strength in all of our workplaces;
Improve our communications;
Hold politicians accountable; and
Increase our resources.

The new dues formula was announced in the February 2009 CSEA News as effective on March 1, and the changes are being implemented on a graduated scale through July 1, 2011.

A leaflet announcing the Comptroller's Office schedule for deducting new dues amounts was mailed to our Union's active State Division members in March 2009. The leaflet is linked in the Phase 1 section below, along with a chart reflecting the new rates and corresponding minimum and maximum salaries for State employees.

A second update was mailed to Municipal Division members announcing a July 1 effective date for the first change to rates for cities, towns, and schools workers in early June of 2009. The Phase 2 section below includes the leaflet, a simple chart with minimum and maximum rates, and the memo Secretary-Treasurer Patrice Peterson sent Chapter Presidents the week before.

For the two minor changes implemented in 2010 for State Division members, a downloadable leaflet with the updates and the same chart made available in March 2009 is available below.