Union Dues
Members pay local, NYSUT, and AFT/NEA dues through their locals. Dues provide resources for the unions to serve members. Each local determines its dues structure, but must include provisions (pass-through) for state and national affiliates. NYSUT RA delegates vote on NYSUT dues, while delegates to the NEA/ AFT conventions set national dues.
Why do we pay dues?
Union dues may be used to support a wide variety of programs or activities, such as
- legal representation for members at arbitration, Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), and for contract negotiations
- salaries for union office support staff
- release time for union officers
- travel expenses for members to attend conferences (note in recent years we have been able to use the interest on investments to cover these expenses).
- bills; office supplies
- employee benefits (example: financial counseling)
Dues are never used for political campaigns; details regarding VOTE-COPE will soon be added to this page.
Local Dues
Our local is United College Employees (UCE of FIT); our dues structure is spelled out on the last page of the UCE of FIT Constitution and ByLaws
Dues Structure: (.006 x gross salary*) up to a maximum of $540.00 annually.** Minimum Dues: All employees who earn $1,000 or less shall pay .6 of one percent of total earnings (.006 x gross salary) or $25 per semester, whichever is greater.
*Gross salary is for all earnings; therefore, it will include any bonuses, overtime, and retropayments.
**Based on FIT Fiscal Year, not calendar year or academic year.
You will see UNN FEE or Union Fee % on paystubs; what it is listed as may vary based on paper (pdf) paystubs or electronic paystubs viewed through MyFIT. If you do not see the Union Fee, please contact the Membership Director at Membership@uce-fit.org.
Since January 1, 2007, the UCE has kept dues the same, even as costs have increased, underscoring a focus on fiscal discipline and member value.
NYSUT Dues
New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) is a federation of more than 1,200 local unions, including our local. NYSUT RA delegates vote on NYSUT dues.
Dues Structure: You can find the full breakdown in the NYSUT Constitution and Bylaws Article VI.
You will see Union Dues for NYSUT (or U NYSUT) on paystubs; what it is listed as may vary based on paper (pdf) paystubs or electronic paystubs viewed through MyFIT.
Note: NYSUT dues include contributions to our national affiliates, AFT and NEA. NYSUT passes along the appropriate share of our dues to these national organizations.