Dues Calculator

Dues - Federal and State Law

Unions often strongly bargain for a union security clause, which requires bargaining unit employees to pay union dues and initiation fees as a condition of employment. Union dues are the Union’s source of revenue and income to run their representational activities. Historically, the language of these clauses implied that employees had to become full union members and pay all membership dues, regardless of an employee’s objections to the union’s spending on certain activities. Bargaining unit employees in private-sector employment may now choose not to join the union, however, and cannot be obligated to pay more than the percentage of dues that relates to the union’s “representational activities.”

The required payment of union dues is permissible by federal and state law. Colorado has a one of a kind system, and is not just a “right to work state”. In Colorado, there is a 3 step process to potentially require the payment of union dues:

  1. Union wins NLRB election
  2. Union wins separate vote conducted by the State to allow a union security clause. 
  3. The parties must then agree to include a union security clause in the contract during negotiations. 

If the second vote is in favor of dues, it is a near certainty that a contract would include a union security clause because the Union wants it, the employees have shown support, and there is not a strong employer argument against including a mandatory dues clause. In recent legislative sessions, bills have been introduced to reform the Labor Peace Act and potentially eliminate the supermajority vote requirement, but the system remains in place as of late 2025. Federal law leaves it up to each state to decide whether collective bargaining agreements may contain union-security clauses. “Right-to-work” states prohibit union security clauses while non-right-to-work states allow such clauses. So, employees in non-right-to-work states may have to pay dues as a condition of keeping their jobs. In current negotiations, Local 105 has proposed a union security clause. 

View Tentative Agreements Reached with SEIU Local 105 and Information About What a Union Security Cause Means

Know the Facts About Union Dues

Union dues are a financial commitment. Knowing how much dues cost and what your options are if you do not want to pay them can help you make an informed decision about whether union membership aligns with your values and needs.

Average SEIU union dues

Someone making $50,000/year or just over $24/hour would pay dues averaging:

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per paycheck
$
0
per year
$
0
per 3-year contract

Someone making $70,000/year or just over $33/hour would pay dues averaging:

$
0
per paycheck
$
0
per year
$
0
per 3-year contract

The union gets its money no matter what, plus:

  • The right to take more of your money (and collect more dues) as your earnings increase
  • The right to decide which issues it will take to the bargaining table
  • The right to keep getting paid, even if you’re not happy with their services

Ask yourself:

  • What other business can keep your money even if you’re not satisfied with the product or service?
  • Where does the dues money go?

Under the Union, you could be forced to pay dues or fees in order to keep your job - even if you don’t want the Union.

Dues FAQs

If the union is elected, it will almost certainly ask employees to pay dues and, in some states like Colorado, will likely seek to require all employees to pay dues in order to retain their jobs at CFHW.

Yes, the union can raise dues during its annual and special business meetings. And if you don’t already pay the maximum, your dues will increase as your pay increases because dues represent a percentage of your base pay rate. In its bylaws, SEIU also reserves the right to collect additional funds.

Colorado has a unique state law about the payment of union dues. If the union were to be elected, there would then be a second election where employees would vote whether they would be required to pay dues as a condition of employment. So, it is possible that a union contract could include a “union security clause” that makes paying dues a condition of keeping your job, allowing the union to force an employer to fire any employee who falls behind on dues payments.

Many employees in Colorado choose to pay dues – as the terms of your job would still be determined by the contract negotiated by the Union. You may also want to pay dues, because without doing so, you will not have a say in what proposals the Union brings to the negotiating table.

Yes. If SEIU wins the election and negotiates a contract, you are covered by it whether you pay dues or not, and whether you approve of the contract or not.

Maybe. Unions often put tremendous pressure on employees to pay dues. Unions are a business and need dues money to survive.

Maybe. Ask yourself: Is the SEIU going to give more priority to people paying them dues money?

No. All spending decisions are made by the Union to support the union’s overall operations.
Dues money is not divvied up by CFHW employees.

What Could Union Dues Cost You?

SEIU Local 105 Dues Calculator


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Per Local 105’s Dues Policy, union dues are two point two five percent (2.25%) of a member’s regular earnings. Since Local 105 dues are calculated as a percentage of regular gross wages, the dollar amount union members pay in dues will increase as their wages increase. The annual dues for a full-time employee working 2080 hours can be estimated by multiplying their hourly wage by 2080, and then calculating 2.25% of that total. It is important to note that specific details, including any potential maximum annual dues, are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement for each specific employer and are subject to change.

Dues vs. Retirement

Retirement savings calculated on a 5% annual rate of return.