North Texas Association of Public Employees
Steel Workers Local 9479
Frequently
Asked Questions and Dues Information
Why
should I join the Steelworkers? –
Many of your fellow employees, tired of having changes made without any
consideration of their needs, have joined together so that we can have a voice
before city council. No one person can affect the change we need, but many
people together can work together to get our concerns noticed, together we
have a voice that can be heard, together we can make a change. And as with any
endeavor of this nature, the more people that join together, the faster the
change can be.
Hey,
I joined a union, how do I know if it was the Steelworkers? – Look on
your pay stub, if you have a deduction labeled NT Pub E, then you are a member
of the North Texas Association of Public Employees – Steel Workers Local
9479. The United Steel Workers of
America is one of the largest labor organizations in the
United States
.
How
much does it cost to join the Steelworkers? – It is very inexpensive.
The maximum it can be is $5.00 a week, and depending on income,
lots of people contribute less. The
dues structure is spelled out in the bylaws here
http://cityofdallasemployees.com/codebylaws.htm
How
come the dues are not listed on the enrollment card?
– This card was put together and approved by the City Attorney’s office.
And only the stuff that they approved could be put on it prior to printing. So
that was not allowed on the card. You would have liked the dues structure on
the card, the City Controllers office wanted the employee number and not the
social security number on it, and the Steelworkers would have liked a space
for email addresses on them. But we were required to print the card that they
approved. We have since been able to use a stamp to slip in the employee
number and the email address at the edge of the card, since they do not change
the size or overall makeup of the approved card design.
My
pay stub says NT Pub E but I never received my membership card, or any mail
from the Steelworkers. Why? – For
some reason we have a bad or incomplete address for you on your card. Please
contact us with the new or correct info. This mailing was sent using a
different list.
Well
I belong to another association, and I like them, but I want to be in
Steelworkers. Can I belong to more than one association?
– Sure you can. Lots of the police and fire personnel belong to their main
association and also belong to a smaller one too.
But I will
get the same benefits as the others whether I am in the Association or not! -
True, when the fight against future pay cuts is fought, there will be no
distinction between protecting the pay of Steelworker members and the
non-members. But think on this, last year we successfully fought a pay cut,
but saw our SIP slashed to almost nothing… if we had all been united, could
that loss have been avoided? Also when the economy improves and the next cost
of living is put into place you will get AN increase. But is it sufficient?
Would you get more if all the civilian employees were in the Steelworkers
Association? Just think what could be done with a higher membership total. The
City would respect you, and your combined voice, just that much more.
Does
it really matter if I join? – YES!
It is only through a collective voice in the workplace that civilian employees
can have a real impact. Non-members are going to be DEPENDING on members to
fight against future cuts or for increases. Is that fair? Not really. It’s
like expecting your co-worker to fill up your gas tank once a month.
Skeptical about the benefits of Association membership? Look at all the
stuff that the Dallas Police Association has been able to get for it’s
members. They are a prime example of the benefits of having a large
association working towards the long haul on issues that concern them.
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