FAQ's

1. A friend/coworker/union official said I have to join the union.

Not True. You have a right not to join. If you do not join, you can get back part of the money that you pay to the union.

2. Someone gave me a paper to fill out so that I can get monthly newsletters from the union.

Be careful. A person I know signed just to get the union recruiter off his back. He didn't realize he was signing a document to join the union.

3. How can I quit the union?

4. How do I get money back from the union if I'm not a member?

I send a notice every year to people with a sample objection letter that they must write by a certain date. Most of these people get money back.

5. I sent a letter but didn't get any money back.

The union can claim that they received your letter after the deadline. This is easy for them to do. They have you send it to a post office box. What if they simply wait until after the deadline to go to their post office box a week after the deadline?

6. Can I do anything about this?

This is an old trick used by evil corporations and shady operators. It is very difficult, but not impossible, for you to prove. The idea here is to make it so difficult for you that you get discouraged and give up.

7. Why does the union have to give any money back to non members?

The union can spend non member's money for only three things ­ (1) Costs related to bargaining, (2) Costs related to contract enforcement and (3) Administrative costs in support of the first two items. All other monies spent must be returned to non members if they so request it each year.

8. Who makes the determination as to how much money is spent on these items?

Generally, the union's accountant who is paid by the union and accountants would never lie under oath, they just engage in double talk. This year UPTE's accountant did not even certify the costs as required, he didn't have enough lipstick to put on that pig. This is one of the reasons we filed Unfair Practice Charges.

9. I filed an Unfair Practice Charge but I haven't gotten any money back yet, what's going on?

The agency that handles the charges is simply overwhelmed. They have received about 250 charges from Just Vote u c members so far this year. They will get another 500 charges from our members. Normally, the agency processes 600 to 800 charges a year statewide. They are way behind and they did not put a stop to UPTE practices by issuing an injunction. I tried to warn this agency but they didn't listen to me, believe me nor comprehend the gravity of the situation.