What is the law governing union dues and assessments?
In Washington, the law governing union dues and assessments is known as the Washington Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA). This law outlines the rules and procedures governing collective bargaining between public employers and employees in Washington. The law states that when public employers and employees reach an agreement through collective bargaining, the employees must pay dues and assessments to the employee organization that negotiated the agreement. Dues are the regular payments that employees make to support the operations of the employee organization. Assessments refer to payments that are made for a specific purpose, such as a political action or legal defense fund. The PECBA also sets the limits on the amount of dues and assessments that can be collected, and requires employers to deduct and remit these amounts on behalf of their employees. The PECBA also sets standards for the accounting, disbursement, and audit of union dues and assessments. For example, employers must provide each employee with a written statement of how the employee’s dues and assessments are being used, as well as keep detailed records. These records must be audited annually, and employers and employee organizations must share in the cost of the audit. In addition, the PECBA outlines rules for the collection of dues and assessments from non-members, known as Agency Service Fees. Non-members must be informed of their rights to decline payment of the fee or to request a waiver for religious, financial, or other reasons. The law also sets the limits on the amount of fees that can be collected. These protections ensure that all public employees in Washington have access to the benefits of union representation without paying dues or assessments if they so choose.
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