The Obligations of Union Membership

Once a Union is certified as bargaining representative for a group of employees, it represents all of those employees — whether or not they voted for the Union, whether or not they join the Union, whether or not they want to be represented by the Union.

In most states, under most contracts, employees cannot be forced to join the Union. They can refuse to pay dues — although they must still pay an amount equal to Union dues into a special fund.

But they are still subject to the provisions of the contract. They are treated the same as union members. They must go through union channels to file grievances or communicate with management.

Union members have even more obligations. They must pay dues and fees, attend meetings, and participate in work actions or risk union discipline. Unions customarily give themselves the right to put members "on trial" and to reprimand, fine, or expel them if they are found "guilty."

UAW Constitution (Article 31) gives the Union the power to try members who have "violated this Constitution or engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of the Union."

There is no definition of what such conduct is, but Section 24 of Article 31 makes it clear that a member may be tried and expelled for simply advocating that the UAW be replaced or removed as his or her bargaining agent.

The Risks of Union Membership