Join Our Union
EASIEST: Just fill out the digital form (requires login to verify your e-mail address) and press Submit
Alternative: You may download a copy of this form, fill it out on your computer or on paper, and return it to us
Special members: A restricted membership option is available for some roles outside the bargaining unit such as Chairs. Please fill out this form if you’re interested in becoming a special member.
Beck rights disclosure: The following sets forth your rights under the Supreme Court’s decisions in N.L.R.B. v. Gen. Motors Corp., 373 U.S. 734 (1963) and Communications Workers of America v. Beck, 487 U.S. 735 (1988), as well as other cases decided under the National Labor Relations Act.
As an employee in a position included in a bargaining unit represented by the AAUP-AFT, you have the right to choose whether to become a full member of the union or instead choose to become a financial core member or agency fee member.
If you decide not to become a full member, you remain covered by the collective bargaining agreement and continue to receive the benefits of union representation and therefore must pay a fee to fulfill your obligations under the union security provision of the collective bargaining agreement. However, you will not be afforded the same rights and privileges as full members of the union to participate in union governance matters. Union leadership estimates that the large majority if not all of our expenses are directly tied to representation and contract administration, so we do not expect that any member objecting in this way would see a significant large difference in dues obligations.
Furthermore, non-members have the legal right to object to paying that portion of union dues or fees that are used for activities not germane to collective bargaining, contract administration, grievance adjustment, and other core activities related to the terms and conditions of your employment—such as political or legislative activities.
Non-members who wish to register such objections must do so in writing to the Union office, Social Work Room 135. Upon receipt of a timely objection filed pursuant to the aforementioned requirements, non-members will be provided with further information relating to the calculation of the pro-rata portion of the union dues or fees that are used for activities not germane to collective bargaining, contract administration, or grievance adjustment.