Home < Policies, Employee and Labor Relations < Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
Can an employee avoid paying an agency fee to the union?
Who is a “conscientious objector?”
If I am a conscientious objector, who do I notify?
What will the process be for evaluating conscientious objector status?
What if you have objections to the charities listed?
What proof is required to have a conscientious objection?
What is the course of action for non-payment?
Q. Can an employee avoid paying an agency fee to the union?
A. If the union representing the position imposes an agency fee, then the employee cannot avoid an agency fee deduction. However, if they are a conscientious objector, the agency fee will be donated to a selected charity.
Q. Who is a "conscientious objector"?
A. The law states that a conscientious objector is 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 would not be required to join, but would instead be required to pay a sum equal to the agency fee to a nonreligious, non-labor charitable fund," as jointly determined by the University and the union.
Q. If I am a conscientious objector who do I notify?
A. You must notify the union directly of your conscientious objector status. Union Contact Listing.
Q. What will the process be for evaluating conscientious objector status?
A. Each union will administer its own criteria for determining conscientious objector status.
Q. If an employee disagrees with the union's decision to deny conscientious objector status, can the employee grieve the decision? If so, what is the process?
A. If you do not agree with your union rejection of a claim for conscientious objector status, you must contact your union directly for advice on your rights and appeal procedures.
Q. If an employee is a conscientious objector can they select any charity to which their agency fee will be donated?
A. The University and the union have agreed to a list of three charities to which the agency fee can be donated. If an employee is a conscientious objector, they must first notify the union and inform them to which charity they want to donate. [Agency Fee Structure Chart]
Q. What if you have objections to the charities listed?
A. You must still direct your agency fee contribution to one of the charities listed. However, you can contact your union representative or a member of your local Labor Relations office to voice your concerns about the list of charitable organizations. The University and Union can jointly decide to change or add charitable organizations to the list.
Q. Can I donate my agency fee to charity even though I do not belong to a religion or sect that objects to financially supporting a public employee organization?
A. No. Only those employees who are members of a bona fide religion, body or sect that has historically held conscientious objections to joining or financially supporting public employee organizations may direct their agency fee contribution to a charitable organization
Q. Which religions historically object to providing financial support to a public employee organization?
A. The Unions will be determining this matter. You can consult your union for a list of organizations they believe meet the legal criteria.
Q. What proof is required to have a conscientious objection?
A. Your exclusive representative will determine what proof is acceptable.
Q. What is the course of action for non-payment?
A. The University is required by law to deduct the agency fee. The deducted funds are then sent to your respective union who in turn is responsible for sending your payment to the charitable organization you have selected.
