There are a lot of voices out there, with many sending conflicting messages. Here’s what you need to know to sort it all out:

• What is “opting out”?

  Public employees who do not want to be members of AFSCME can leave the union while continuing employment.

• How much money can I save by leaving AFSCME?

  AFSCME dues can cost hundreds of dollars a year. By opting out, you will no longer pay any union dues.

• Will I lose health insurance or other benefits?

  No. You are guaranteed any benefits provided in the collective bargaining agreement with your employer.

• Why is the Illinois Policy Institute helping people opt out of AFSCME?

  The Illinois Policy Institute has always been a resource for workers seeking to exercise their rights and choose for themselves whether to associate with a union. We’ve created this website to make the process easy for those who want to opt out of union membership.

• Why would I want to stop paying union dues?

  State and local government workers and public school employees who have chosen not to be union members have cited a number of reasons for doing so, including the following:

  1. The union spends too much on politics.
  2. The union doesn’t represent its members well.
  3. The family budget is tight, and that extra money could go a long way.
  4. Opting out gives you the freedom to make choices you think are best.

  1) The union spends too much on politics.

  Public employee unions are inherently political. And members’ dues fund politicians and political causes that workers may oppose. Opting out allows you to determine where your hard-earned money goes.

  Take a look at the following examples from AFSCME Council 31 and its national affiliates:

  • AFSCME Council 31 and its national headquarters spent over $213 million on political activities and lobbying between 2013 and 2017.
  • AFSCME Council 31 and its affiliates spent over $5.1 million on Illinois politics in 2018 alone.
  • From 2013 to 2018, AFSCME directed over $1.3 million to election committees run by Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

  2) The union doesn’t represent its members well.

  According to filings with the U.S. Department of Labor, AFSCME Council 31 spent about $41 million a year on average from 2013 through 2017. But just $8.2 million, or 20 cents of every dollar, went toward “representational activities.”

  Perhaps the union failed to provide adequate support when you filed a grievance. Maybe the union’s priorities no longer reflect the priorities of its members.

  Opting out allows you to retain your dues if you don’t think the union is representing you well. And it sends a message that union leadership needs to work harder to support the workers it represents.

  3) The family budget is tight, and that extra money could go a long way.

  Public employees each pay hundreds of dollars – or more – every year to their unions. That’s money workers earn, but never get to see.

  Opting out of the union allows you to keep more of your hard-earned money.

  4) Opting out gives you the freedom to make choices you think are best.

  Public employee strikes are not uncommon in Illinois. In fact, the state is home to two of the nation’s biggest government worker strikes in the last decade.

  This means public employees in Illinois frequently have to make an intensely personal and stressful decision: 1) Go to work and get paid – and risk fines or other forms of union punishment, or 2) Go on strike – and risk not only your paycheck, but, unbeknownst to many workers, sometimes even your job.

  Because the union has no disciplinary authority over nonmembers, opting out provides you more freedom to make the choice that is best for you and your family.

• What happens if I am not a member of the union?

  Nonmembers do not pay any fees to the union. But you are still guaranteed the benefits provided in the collective bargaining agreement.

  That’s because decades ago, Illinois’ government union leaders lobbied for the exclusive right to represent all public employees – both members and nonmembers. And that means you retain all benefits provided in your collective bargaining agreement, regardless of membership status.

  Examples may include the following:

  • Salary and raises
  • Health insurance
  • Pension benefits
  • Vacation days and holidays
  • Overtime pay
  • Seniority
  • Leaves of absence (including sick leave)

  On the other hand, nonmembers are not entitled to perks guaranteed to members through the union’s internal rules or membership agreement. Examples may include:

  • Voting rights (on ratification of contract, strike authorization, etc.)
  • Holding union office or representing the union as a delegate to a convention
  • Utilizing union-negotiated discounts (for things such as additional life insurance, health clubs, tickets to events, etc.)
  • Maintaining any liability insurance the union provides, as opposed to insurance provided by the government employer
  • Receiving newsletters or other union publications
  • Attending special union events (such as meetings, picnics, Christmas parties, etc.)
• Which workers can opt out of the union and stop paying dues?

  Both state and local government employees can opt out of union membership and stop paying dues. This includes workers employed by cities, towns, villages, counties, townships and the state.

• How do I tell my employer and union to stop deducting dues?

  The process is simple: Fill out the form here , and the appropriate letters will be sent on your behalf to both your employer and your union.

• What if my employer or union doesn’t honor my opt-out request?

  Some employers, influenced by union misinformation, are not immediately stopping dues deductions upon request. And some unions are refusing to honor requests unless they are submitted within a specific time window dictated by internal union rules.

  We believe these obstructions are unconstitutional. If you encounter any barriers in your effort to stop dues or fees from being deducted from your paycheck, please contact us at help@leavemyunion.com.

HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

Feel free to email us at help@leavemyunion.com or call (630) 448-0016.

INTERESTED IN LEAVING YOUR UNION?

To stop your employer from deducting dues from your paycheck click here.