University of Washington Policy Directory

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*Formerly part of the University Handbook
Administrative Policy Statement
43.2


Payroll Deduction for Union Contract Covered Employee Representative Dues and Fees

(Approved by the President per delegation of authority Executive Order No. 9)



1.  Purpose

The following guidelines are established for use in determining when requests for authorization and revocation of payroll deductions will be granted by the University for union dues and fees. It is the responsibility of the Vice President for Human Resources to evaluate each request for a payroll deduction plan in light of the following guidelines.

2.  Scope

This policy pertains to University employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement who may pay dues and/or fees in conjunction with the collective bargaining agreement.

3.  Guidelines for Authorization of Payroll Dues Deduction

Subject to all applicable laws and regulations, payroll dues deduction for employees in certified bargaining units is permitted in accordance with the following:

  • The union must be certified as the exclusive bargaining representative.

  • The employee must be in a bargaining unit for which the union has been certified as the exclusive bargaining representative.

  • The employee must have provided written, electronic, or voice authorization for such deduction to the exclusive bargaining representative.

  • The University shall rely on information provided by the exclusive bargaining representative regarding the authorization of dues deductions.

4.  Employee Authorization of Payroll Dues Deductions

If the employer receives a request directly from an employee for authorization of deductions, the University shall as soon as practicable forward the request to the exclusive bargaining representative.

Upon receiving notice of the employee's authorization from the exclusive bargaining representative, the University shall deduct membership dues from the employee's salary and remit the amounts to the exclusive bargaining representative.

5.  Authorization for Revocation of Payroll Dues Deductions

The employee’s authorization for dues deduction remains in effect until expressly revoked by the employee in accordance with following:

  • The employee’s request to revoke authorization for payroll deductions must be in writing.

  • The employee’s request to revoke authorization for payroll deductions must be submitted by the employee to the exclusive bargaining representative in accordance with the terms and conditions of the authorization.

  • The University shall rely on information provided by the exclusive bargaining representative regarding the revocation of deductions.

  • If the employer receives a request to revoke authorization for dues deductions directly from the employee, the University shall request confirmation from the exclusive bargaining representative.

After the University receives confirmation from the exclusive bargaining representative that the employee has revoked authorization for deductions, the University shall end the deduction no later than the second payroll after receipt of the confirmation.

6.  Other Union Fee Deductions

If the University and the exclusive bargaining representative enter into a collective bargaining agreement that includes requirements for deductions of other payments, the University shall make such deductions upon written authorization of the employee.

7.  Responsible Office and Additional Information

For further information contact the Labor Relations Office.

8.  History

May 1, 2002; RC, February 21, 2014; November 23, 2020.