Q. How much are dues in SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH?

A. Dues are 1.75% of your regular, straight-time pay. So for every $100 you earn, you pay $1.75 in dues. It is important to note that in our union, newly-organized members do not start paying dues until they've negotiated and voted to accept a union contract.

Q. How do union negotiations work?

A. Employees represented by a union start by developing contract proposals and selecting co-workers to serve on their bargaining committee. The union bargaining committee and management meet over a period of time to discuss proposals in the areas of wages, health care and retirement benefits, staffing, paid leave, grievance procedures, and other hospital policies that affect employees' jobs and working conditions. When the two parties reach a tentative agreement, employees vote on whether to accept it. If a majority of employees accept it, the union contract will go into effect for a specified number of years, and can be re-negotiated when it expires.

Q. Do union members have to go on strike to get a contract?

A. No! If the union and management bargaining committees are unable to reach an agreement acceptable to a majority of employees, those employees have the option of going on strike if, and only if, a majority vote to do so. No one, least of all hospital management, wants a strike; that's why strikes are rare and only happen as a last resort.

Q.If I have a problem at work, how do I file a grievance?

A. If you work at a hospital and are a member of SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH, your union contract contains a grievance procedure that can be used to address workplace issues. If you feel there an incident or situation occurred that violates your union contract, speak to your facility's union Grievance Chair about filing a grievance.

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