JOIN WFSE!

Employees covered by the contracts are encouraged to participate in the democratic governance of our union by becoming WFSE members. This page lists the requirements and conditions that accompany the options of Member status.

MEMBERSHIP

• Right of representation under the contract
• Full rights of WFSE/AFSCME membership
• 1.5% of monthly salary (exclusive of overtime) to a maximum of $76.50 a month, effective 7/1/2008.

How much are dues?
 
In accordance with Article VI, Section 1 of the WFSE/AFSCME Constitution, membership dues are 1.5% of a union member’s gross monthly salary, capped at $76.50 per month as of July 1, 2008.  The cap increases in proportion to wage increases.
 
Who decides how much the dues are?
 
Amending the union’s constitution is the only way a dues rate may be changed. This is only done by amendment to the constitution by elected member delegates during a union convention. Conventions take place every two years.

The monthly dues maximum amount changes with general wage increases (COLAs) negotiated for the state employees we represent. There are no general wage increases scheduled for fiscal year 2009-2010.

How is the amount of each deduction determined?

Salary earned during the first half of the month (1st - 15th) is paid on the 25th of the month.  Your dues on this payday will be your gross wages paid times the rate of 1.5%, not to exceed the cap. 

Salary earned for the latter half of the month (15th - end of month), is paid on the 10th of the following month.  Your dues on this payday will be your gross wages paid times the rate of 1.5% but when combined with the dues amount paid on the first half of the month, will not exceed the cap.

Example:

Pay Period	Wages Earned	Pay Day	1.5%
3/1 - 3/15	$2200	3/25	$33.00
3/16 - 3/31	$2200	4/10	$33.00
			$66.00

 

 

 

I want to continue to be a member but I object to my dues being spent on political stuff.

As a member you may apply for a rebate of the amount of dues spent on partisan political or ideological purposes.  Information regarding this can be found in Article IX, section 14 of the AFSCME constitution.

• AFSCME's Political Rebate process was published in the January 2010 AFSCME Works magazine.  Read it here.

Are union dues tax deductible?

Under the Federal Budget Reconciliation Tax Act of 1987, dues, contributions or gifts to WFSE/AFSCME are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Dues, however, may qualify as business expenses and may be deductible in limited circumstances subject to Internal Revenue Service restrictions.

REQUEST A PAYROLL DEDUCTION AUTHORIZATION CARD:

Become a proud member of the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME.

• If you did not receive a Payroll Deduction Authorization card to complete during your employee orientation OR need a new one, email us to request that one be sent to you home address.  Please include adequate mailing information and a phone number just in case we need to contact you.

Please call us at (800) 562-6002 with any questions.