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Ask President Burrus

Question:

I’m a non-paying member of the union; however, I’m not paying because I feel that I am not represented when I contact the local union for help.  I feel that this is due to a personal conflict that I have with the president of the local.  I believe in the union; however, I don’t think it's right for the union to advertise that it represents paying and non-paying members equally. Since I believe in the union, is there a way to pay dues to the national union rather than to the local?

Tony

President Burrus:

I cannot accept your assertion that you have a valid reason for refusing to join the union. The fact is, you do not belong because you don’t have to. Non-members offer many reasons for standing on the sidelines. Some say it is because of the cost, others suggest it is because of conflicts with union representatives, or a general philosophy against labor unions.

Unfortunately, on the question of belonging to a labor union, there is no penalty for making a bad choice. Non-members never suffer consequences for their decision.

If being a non-member meant sacrificing cost-of-living adjustments, general wage increases, holidays, or seniority, I could accept your justification for your refusal to join. But if you continue to receive all of the benefits of union activity, blaming others for failing to represent you is simply unacceptable.

If your roads were not repaired, your schools were inadequate, and police and fire protection were non-existent, you would still pay your taxes — because there would be consequences for failing to pay them. Withholding your union membership is without consequences, so, why not?

Non-members continue their postal employment because they like the benefits that the union has secured. These are benefits postal employees have won by working and struggling together for our common good. Don’t make excuses! If you are dissatisfied, get involved and work to improve the situation.

There are no provisions in the APWU Constitution that permit active-duty employees to obtain membership only in the national union. All members belong to a local or, if they work in a facility that is too small to support a local, they are members-at-large who contribute to the national union and their state organization.

July 27, 2007

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