How do I become a member?

Joining NTEU is simple.  Either drop by the union office in Room 123 or contact your area representative or steward and ask for a membership form.  The form authorizes personnel to deduct dues from your paycheck.  Once you've signed that, you are on your way to all the benefits of membership.

Who can join?

All non-management employees are eligible to join NTEU.  Some secretarial positions are ineligible to join because of the access to certain types of employee information.

How much does it cost?

NTEU is proud of its sliding dues schedule.  Click here to access the 2009 Dues Chart for Chapter 72.  Your paid national dues also include $1.25 for chapter dues and helps the chapter to function.  Dues paid are also used to pay the salary of the lawyer who helps us in the formal steps of a grievance.  

How much of my dues goes to support political groups activities?

No part of union dues are used to support any political initiatives.

I'm a seasonal employee.  Do I pay dues when I go non-duty?

No.  You do not pay any dues while you are in non-duty status.  And you only pay dues for the time that you are on duty.  Your dues begin again when you return to duty.

Why should I become a member?

As a member, you take an active part in the decision making.  You can vote, hold office, and have a voice in the union.  You can become an NTEU official or participate on quality teams to imprvoe the quality of worklife.  If you want to contribute to improving quality and your work life, the most effective way is to join NTEU.

What is the "bargaining unit"?

The term "bargaining unit" confuses a lot of people.  In any workplace, "management" decides what work is done.  "Labor" carries out the work.  Labor is a commodity - it has value and is "bargained" or negotiated.  Labor is also carried out under prescribed conditions (safely and efficiently).  Conditions of employement can also be bargained.  A bargaining unit consists of any group of non-managament employees affected by a change in the value, condition, or procedure of work.  It also refers to any collective group of non-management employees.  It is sometimes used to refer to all employees represented by NTEU.

What is a grievance?

Any time a bargaining unit employee has a disagreement with a managment official, that employee has a grievance.  Grievances are resolved in many ways.  Contrary to what most people believe, NTEU and management resolve most grievances by simply discussing the issue.  When dialogue doesn't work, however, NTEU moves to an informal or formal process to resolve the issue.  These formal issues are what most people think of when they hear the word grievance.

When should I get in touch with my steward or representative?

You should contact your area steward or representative any time you feel your rights might have been violated.  It is important that you contact your area steward or representative immediately because some issues require a formal step within 15 days.

Why do members have to pay dues?  You already represent me.  Why should I join?

No one gets representation for free.  Your co-workers who are members are paying your tab.  Members pay the dues which cover the cost of all bargaining and contract support for all bargaining unit employees.  It costs money to negotiate contracts, lobby Congress, and represent employees.

If I am not a member, do you still have to represent me?

NTEU is required to represent non-members only in contract related problems, not before the EEOC, MSPB, the Comptroller General or in class action suits in the courts.  NTEU is also not required to represent non-members in oral replies or statutory appeal cases regarding disciplinary actions.  Oral replies are the first and often most important step in resolving these types of issues.  NTEU is also not obligated to survey non-members about what they would like in a national or local agreement.

I disagree with union decisions.  Why should I join?

Few people agree 100% with any group or organization action.  Representative government depends on people who particiapte in decision making.  If you don't agree with the direction the union takes, become involved and work to change the course.  We need people like you.  That's how everyone who works for NTEU first got involved.  They didn't agree with something that happened.

If you would like to see things done differently, get involved, get the facts, and work to make a positive change.  Being on the outside precludes your being able to change things.  Tell us what we should or should not be doing.  Talk with your area stewards, representatives or the officers.

What has the union done for me lately?

The list is long.  Look at the Local Agreements to see what has been done or the Chapter News to see what the plans are for the future.  You can also contact any steward, representative, or officer for details.

I don't like unions.  Why should I join?

The definition of "union" is "to join together for a common cause".  What would be the effect if no union existed to monitor, lobby, represent, and/or enforce policies and contracts that ensure your due process?  The majority of good things that have happened for employees have happened because there is a union.

Saying that you don't like the union is the same as not trusting your co-workers.  The union is its members.  It is a democratic organization where members choose how the union conducts business.  When you join NTEU, you are the union.

All of this talk about contracts is confusing.  Who can help me understand?

The two most important things you can do is get to know your area steward/union representative and to familiarize yourself with the national agreement.  If you have problems doing either of these two things, you should contact an union officer to help find a solution.

Can NTEU strike?

NTEU is prohibited by law from striking.  However, NTEU does have the power to issue a "cease and desist" order which is legally binding.  NTEU also has the ability to bargain, negotiate, grieve, and represent bargaining unit employees.

I have never been in trouble.  What is in it for me?

The majority of our members are good employees and never have problems.  NTEU's intervention and contract rights are one of the reasons the vast majority of employees don't have problems.  We provide a system of checks and balances.  Unfortunately, problems do arise.  Sometimes whole groups of employees are affected.  That is when strong membership pays off.

Unions don't matter.  Management does what management wants to do.

Only if you let them.  Management has this uncanny ability to understand where NTEU is strong and where NTEU is weak.  They will take liberties in areas of weak membership and treat employees with respect in areas of strong membership.  It's up to you.  We rely on you to keep us informed.  We can't challenge or fix things if we don't know management is doing them.