Legal Question in Business Law in Washington

RE: Union dues owed

I found out my daughter's union is UFCW #21. She only works 8 hrs a week due to her going to college as well. She said she saw a deduction one time on her paycheck. [under yearly total?] If she is terminated for not being able to pay this bill, will she still owe that money? Sounds like an awful lot for only working 8 hrs a week.

RE answer to: My daughter works part-time for 'Fred Meyers' in Washington state. She was given a letter stating she owes $382 for union dues, and it's due by Aug 19th. She had signed up for automatic deductions out of her paycheck, but it doesn't seem as if they had done this. She's not sure if this was a payroll issue at her job or she doesn't make enough money for the $75 a mo deduction from her paycheck?


Asked on 8/06/08, 7:25 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Susan Beecher Susan L. Beecher, Atty at Law

Re: RE: Union dues owed

I'm the same attorney who answered you last time. I'm hoping you will get answers from others as well, but meanwhile, I will respond again.

Most likely, she will still owe the union dues even if she is terminated (or quits). Again, terms of the collective bargaining agreement will determine.

In Washington (and in nearly every other state) all members of the collective bargaining unit must pay union dues or, in certain limited circumstances, an equivalent amount to charity. Some contracts have reduced dues rates for part time workers. She should contact her union rep to determine whether the dues amount is correct, and whether payment arrangements can be made, since she assumed the dues were being withheld, and they were not.

Unfortunately for her, the argument that she is only working eight hours a week and the dues seem high will not be an effective one unless there are provisions for that in the collective bargaining agreement. I know this may seem unfair, and I am not here to defend that system, but that is likely what she is facing.

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Answered on 8/06/08, 8:04 pm


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