Monthly dues of $26.80 are paid directly to the Local Union office. Of this amount, $20.30 is forwarded to support the International Office in Washington DC.

Working dues of 5% ($2.20 per hour for a journeyman earning $44.00) are deducted from the worker’s paycheck. This money is used to run Local 617. The amount of these working dues may be changed at anytime by a majority vote of the local union membership.

What are the dues for a nonunion electrician?

The package of wages and benefits for a nonunion electrician in San Mateo County is roughly $22 to $25 an hour. The union package is $60.35. Nonunion dues are about 50% of scale, as opposed to the union’s 5%. The union takes $2.20 (for a journeyman making $44.00). The nonunion contractor takes about $20.00. Of this $20.00, we figure on average about $5.00 to $8.00 goes to reducing his bid price. The remaining $12.00 to $15.00 goes into his pocket. In addition, nonunion contractors employ more helpers, laborers and apprentices than union contractors do, further increasing their profits.

How are the dues spent in running Local 617?

Dues fund the services provided by the Local:

• Contract negotiations
• Grievance and arbitration handling
• Representing the interests of members before various levels of government
• Organizing unrepresented workers
• Office expenses
• Salaries of full time staff—a major expense