Linking Dues to Success at the Bargaining Table Works for Everyone

The UAW's system of linking dues increases to pay increases has worked well for UAW members. In 1970 a typical auto assembler earned $7,904 a year and paid $91 a year in union dues.

By 2000 that assembler's basic annual pay (based on 2080 hours a year) was $47,798 while dues had risen to $552.

That member is paying $461 more in dues while union-won wage increases have put $39,894 back in this worker's pocket. That's an $87 return for every $1 dues investment. If you included negotiated benefits, job security, human dignity and decent working conditions, the return on investment would be even greater.

What about UAW members who don't work for the auto companies?

They have benefitted from the same dues formula in exactly the same proportion.

By linking dues to pay increases, the UAW has insured that the strongest possible efforts will be made at the bargaining table to win good pay packages.

But if wages don't go up, then dues don't either.

Linking dues to pay is a proven system that works for everyone.