In the last few months, we’ve seen increasing attacks on workers and unions in the United States. This makes union membership more valuable now than ever. I say this both as the Financial Vice President of Local 802 and as a concerned American who cares about fairness and economic justice for musicians and all workers. Fighting alone against an employer is never a good idea, so it is even more crucial for us to stick together. Therefore, with a recession looming and wages constantly under attack, it’s important to understand what your dues are paying for and what it takes to operate Local 802. To that end, I want to review what union dues cover, their worth to you, and how they’re paid.

No one enjoys spending money during economic distress, but some spending is more fun than others. It is immediately gratifying to hand over a $5 bill in exchange for an ice cream than to pay for something intangible, like union dues. We often hear statements like, “I pay X in work dues, so I should get Y in return.” While you may not immediately see everything your dues pay for, that money is working for you and the betterment of all members in various ways.

First, let’s differentiate between work dues and membership dues. Membership dues are paid annually at a rate defined in our bylaws, regardless of how much work you do. This means that whether you work full-time, part-time, or not at all, you maintain your membership as long as it remains active.

Work dues are paid in addition to membership dues and are based on the work performed. For most live work, this rate is 3.5 percent of your total gross wages. For recording work, the percentage can vary, reaching up to 4.5 percent of wages, depending on the type of recording.

Unionized musicians enjoy higher wages, job protection, better health benefits, a pension (which is becoming rare in many industries), support in disputes, and improved working conditions compared to nonunion workers. Every union job is secured by a contract, whether it’s a simple one-page agreement or an extensive 100-page symphonic contract. Each contract has a rich history, with every term and value carefully debated and negotiated over many years.

Need some examples? Check out President Bob Suttmann’s report in this issue about the upcoming Broadway negotiations. Or read my story in last month’s Allegro about three classical contracts that we just negotiated. All these campaigns require staff and infrastructure, which Local 802 provides.

Think of writing a contract like baking a pie. Each ingredient has a cost — apples, butter, flour, and spices require funds. You also need to factor in the cost of time and utility fees for cooking. Plus, you need an oven, which requires a proper space. Suddenly, the cost of that pie can add up significantly!

Similarly, the contract itself is just the tip of the iceberg. Numerous staff members are involved in scheduling negotiations, writing proposals, meeting with committees, conducting financial analysis, and handling paperwork — all of which require salaries. Additionally, when musician payrolls arrive, further staff must process the paperwork to ensure that everyone involved receives the credits for their benefits.

Staff salaries come with costs such as payroll taxes, local taxes, pensions, and health insurance. In complex negotiations, we may need to engage attorneys and even consultants or actuaries, which add further expenses.

All of this must have a physical location. Currently, while our building undergoes renovations, we are also paying rent and real estate taxes. We require computer equipment, IT support, and staff to keep operations running smoothly, all of which incur costs. Office expenses rank as our second-largest expenditure after personnel.

Moreover, we pay for postage, public relations, repairs, maintenance, insurance, and organizing. While we are the largest local in the AFM, we are relatively small compared to IATSE, UAW, SAG-AFTRA and the like with tens of thousands of members. Because we are small, we must cultivate relationships with our peers and elected officials in New York City and Albany to strengthen our bargaining power on important issues. This undertaking also takes time and money.

This list of expenses is extensive, and I encourage you to review our financial statements each year.

What I’ve discussed here is just the beginning. When finances, negotiations, or your work environment become overwhelming, it’s easy to misdirect frustration toward the union; however, it’s important to remember that our resources are pooled for the advancement of all our members. I hope this helps you understand why we are here and the value your work dues contribute to the vast network of support that benefits us all.

To pay your dues online and to see if you’re current in your dues, log into the Local 802 membership portal at https://info.local802afm.org.