The proposal:
Currently the Trimmers dues are the same as for all Utility members, one (1) hours pay each month and in addition two (2) dollars ($1 each for the Social and Benefits Funds) and the International per capita which is currently $11.
The By-law change is to only modify the one-hour pay portion of the current dues structure. What is being proposed is that a percentage, in this case, 0.6%, which will be called the “Working Dues” portion, of all wages earned be paid in lieu of the one-hour payment.
The percentage of 0.6% is lower than any other set of Local Union By-laws that we have seen. Typically they range from 1-3% of all wages and in addition the International dues and the “Basic Dues” (paid to the Local Union in all cases whether traveling or at home).
The “Basic Dues” portion of the structure would be $2.00, which is the lowest the Local has seen as compared to other Local Unions.
The 0.6% “Working Dues” portion was developed by comparing what would typically be paid by a member who had 12 months of dues taken out at the one hour rate and then comparing dues at the percentage where a range between 140 hours/month and 174 hours/month. 140 hours is the minimum number needed for health care coverage and 174 hours a month would cover a full year of working time, without loss of time, due to inclement weather and unpaid vacations, layoff etc.
Only if the member works a full year of at least 174 hours a month would the normal dues amount be exceeded, by about $10-12 for the year.
The idea is to enable the Local to receive dues that should be paid by members who show up on the property, work and receive benefits, do not sign with the Local and are gone before they can be signed up.
The “Basic Dues” and “Working Dues” concept allows for travelers from different Local Unions to come to New Jersey in appropriate conditions, and work without loss of benefits from the Home Local Union. In addition it reduces the amount of paperwork the Local is required to due when IBEW members are traveling between Companies, and is a simple deduction from the Companies who don’t keep accurate hourly rates.
The “Working Dues” concept, in the Local’s research, may have the potential of the Local receiving less in dues because of the reduced number of hours that members are actually working. Under the present dues structure if you work here a day a month you still owe the dues of one hours pay, and the $2.00 and the International per capita.
The Local has researched a sample of the current membership work times, both those who work steady as well as the members who work less, and have concluded that the proposed change to the dues will benefit the majority of the membership, will help the Local Union recover dues that it would not normally be able to recover, will make it easier from an operational standpoint to have IBEW members move in and out of our territory, and the structure is consistent with the dues structures of other IBEW Local Unions representing Tree Trimmers.
The Local Union is not looking to receive more than other member of Local 94 would pay and in fact most will be paying less. If at the end of a year the Local finds that the amount is excessive, which we don’t believe will happen the Local will revisit the structure and amend as appropriate.