Membership FAQs
Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Membership!
What are the benefits of becoming a member of UAW 4591?
Being a union member gives you the power to make improvements at WSU through collective bargaining and other forms of collective action. ASEs won improved wages, rights, and benefits in our historic first contract with WSU because an overwhelming majority of us took action together. Strong majority membership allows us to enforce our contract, shape our workplace for the better, and win more improvements in upcoming negotiations. We are the union: that means members are the only people who can make decisions, run and vote for leadership, ratify future contracts, or vote to authorize a strike. Each ASE who joins their union sends the message to WSU Admin that they are standing together with their coworkers to enforce their rights and win more.
What are membership dues? How much are they, and how are they collected?
Membership dues are a key source of our power. They are the resources that we use to bargain and enforce the contract, to cover day-to-day costs of running a union, and to ensure that all ASEs have access to strong representation. The University is a multi-billion dollar institution: to bargain as equals, we need independent, member-controlled resources.
Member dues are 1.44% of gross monthly pay, and a one-time initiation fee of $10. In our contract, ASEs were able to win the right to have dues as a payroll deduction, so when you sign up as a member, dues are then deducted from your checks.
Can International ASEs participate in the union?
YES! International ASEs can participate in their union in the same ways domestic ASEs can: by becoming a member, participating in contract enforcement, joining a committee or working group, running for elected office, and more.
International and non-citizen ASEs across the labor movement have led successful campaigns to reverse student travel bans, win greater protections in contracts, and protect workers facing difficult workplace situations.
Is it true that I can get all of the benefits without becoming a member? Why should I become a member?
All ASEs benefit from the contract, but if we want to keep and enforce our rights–and ultimately win more–it will take all of us. Our contract was hard won, and will only be followed as long as WSU believes that ASEs are united behind it. Having a strong membership tells WSU that there will be consequences if they violate an ASE’s rights, because we believe that an injury to one is an injury to all, and we will organize to support each other, and we have the resources to do so.
Becoming a member allows you to vote in elections, run for office, and join committees. All of these things shape our union so that it continues to be strong and can hold the university accountable for the promises of the contract.