unauthorized payroll deduction

[tjkmf]

I work in California and am a union member. I am not required to have my dues automatically deducted from my weekly paycheck, it is strictly my choice. I choice not to and mail my dues payment in quarterly. In other words I have not authorized my employer to deduct any union dues from my paychecks. Yet once a year, I am required to give the union half of a so-called 'bonus check'. The union sends out letters telling the members that 'it's that time again', and that if we are not on automatic dues deductions, we will be billed for the amount owed. My problem is that my employer takes it upon themselve to deduct the amount owed to the union from my check. One of the reasons I am not on automatic dues deduction, is that I don't want any hands dipping into my paycheck, before I receive it, escpecially the union. My prior employer, before they were bought out, did not deduct the funds from my check, yet my new employer does. What are my rights, if any? It really bothers me that my employer will deduct dues that I have not authorized them to withhold. thank you

 

[racer72]

Payment and deduction methods should be spelled out in your union contract. Then you have to ask yourself, is your union steward going to help? Probably not, the union got their money. And the company doesn't care. And good luck finding a lawyer that deals with union issues. The only suggestion I can really offer is to find a sympathetic union steward willing to push through a grievance.

 

[tjkmf]

My contract does not allow for union withholding without my authorization. I thought that my employer might be in violation of some federal law, and if so, I would 'put it in writing' asking that they stop the practice of withholding unauthorized funds. Also, union employees that work for a different employer did not have any unauthorized funds withheld from their checks. I know what my employer is doing, because basically they get to hold onto the funds and collect the interest a little longer, before they are required to submit payment to the union. After the first of the year. Thanks for your reply, anyway.