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The Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA) was amended in January 2000 to establish an "agency shop" at the University of California (HEERA §3583.5). By law, UC employees who are represented by a union but do not join and pay membership dues are required to pay a "fair share" fee through mandatory paycheck deductions. The deductions help pay the union's costs for negotiations, contract administration, and related representational activities.
Fair share fees must be paid by all employees in the EX Unit who are not dues paying members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) regardless of their thoughts about unionization. The only exception under the law is for an employee "who is a member of a bona fide religion, body or sect that has historically held conscientious objections to joining or financially supporting public employee organizations." [HEERA §3584]. Employees may apply to AFSCME for conscientious objector (CO) status. Once AFSCME grants CO status, the employee may select one of the charities agreed to by AFSCME and UC, to which the fees will be paid. (See chart below).
Employees who wish to apply for conscientious objector status should contact AFSCME directly
AFSCME Dues Structure and Fair Share Fees
(effective January 1, 2008)
| Dues Structure / Values | Agency Fee Amount | CO Charities |
| 1.5% of retirement gross / $53.62 | 1.5% of retirement gross / $53.62 | United Way, Alliance for the Mentally Ill; NAACP Fund for Defense & Education; PAC = $5 or more |