Union Dues at Work

NYSUT & VCTA Dues Expenditure Categories

Examples of services provided under each of these functional classifications are provided below:

• Field & Legal Services: Contract Bargaining & Enforcement, Legal Representation
• Member Communication: Issue Advocacy, NY Teacher, NYSUT Leader, http://www.nysut.org
• Administration: Facilities, Information Technology, Human Resources, Accounting, General Overhead
• Governance: Membership Participation, Conventions & Committee Meetings
• Legislation: Lobbying & Legislative Issues
• Research & Educational Service: Union Initiatives Supported by Research on Financial, Policy and Statistical Data
• Program Services: Issue Support for SRP, Health Care Professionals & Retirees
• Organization & Affiliation Dues: International Affiliate AFL-CIO, Local Labor Councils & Labor Federations that Advocate on Behalf of NYSUT Members

The utilization of local dues models the percent and classification of NYSUT dues. Local dues are utilized for:

• Collective Bargaining & Grievances (Collective Bargaining & Compliance Oversight)
• Member Communication (e.g., VC Echoes, Copy Machine)
• Administration (e.g., Stipends, Technology, Office Supplies/Expenses)
• Governance (e.g., Meetings, Conventions)
• Community Outreach (e.g., Scholarships, Support of Community Programs & Businesses)
• Program Services/Events (e.g., Mentoring, Social Events, Retiree Outreach)

Organizational Frameworks

NYSUT and the VCTA serve you...NYSUT and the VCTA empower you... NYSUT and the VCTA challenge you―to become active in building a better world through the union movement.

NYSUT Mission Statement: Through a representative democratic structure, NYSUT improves the professional, economic and personal lives of our members and their families, strengthens the institutions in which they work, and furthers the cause of social justice through the trade union movement.

NYSUT Organizational Frameworks: In order to breathe life into the principles embodied in the NYSUT Mission Statement, NYSUT has identified five organizational frameworks to help guide the organization in defining and communicating who we are and what we stand for.

• Political Voice: Through grass-roots activism, NYSUT is a force at the state Capitol and beyond, shaping legislation that makes a difference to our members and to the children and adults we serve.
• Communication: Through proactive use of print, video, radio and the Web, we provide accurate up-to-the-minute information to members and leaders.
• Social Justice: We bring a voice to those who lack one, and justice to those who have too long been denied. This philosophy is a cornerstone of NYSUT's mission.
• Education: It's what we believe in, and it's what we do. Whether we work in a health care setting, a classroom, a library or an office, continuous education is vital.
• Organizing: Every worker deserves fair wages and benefits, and a voice on the job. We work to "grow" new members and new leaders.

VCTA Purpose (as stated in the Constitution and Bylaws): The purpose of the VCTA shall be to promote the welfare if its members; advance the standards of the teaching profession; promote the interests of public education and students in our community, state, nation and throughout the world.

NYSUT & the VCTA Serve You...

NYSUT and the VCTA are your advocates for fair salary, benefits and working conditions. Union membership gives you a respected voice at the bargaining table. The VCTA's negotiating team works closely with a NYSUT labor relations specialist who provides expertise in contract negotiations and in many other workplace situations. And when needed, NYSUT's nationally renowned legal staff assists the VCTA and members facing job related problems.

NYSUT and the VCTA serve you with up-to-minute communications. NYSUT's newsmagazine, NYSUT United, comes to your door with workplace and career-related information you won't find anywhere else. The VCTA's newsletter, VC Echoes, is printed several times per year and is delivered to members in each building, district administration, BOE members, and is mailed to retirees. VC Echoes is also available online. NYSUT's website, http://www.nysut.org, offers timely updates on education, health care and labor news, and resources you can use: brochures, posters, videos and more. NYSUT is also a strong presence on TV, radio and other media. The VCTA's website, http://vcta.net, attempts to model this on a local level.

NYSUT and the VCTA serve you by providing optional benefit programs. NYSUT  Member Benefits Trust serves you by providing optional benefit programs and services. Every program endorsed by Member Benefits is researched, designed and monitored to enhance your lifestyle. Whether it's insuring your car, obtaining legal assistance at economical rates, or simply saving money on entertainment, Member Benefits has something for you. Request their Benefits Available brochure by phone or email. Follow the actions of thousands of your colleagues and join MAP, the Member Assistance Program. MAP is a quick, environmentally friendly email service that provides reminders and updates about the more than 40 endorsed insurance, financial, legal and discount plans available to you. Sign up on MAP's secure enrollment form on the Member Benefits and Services. Member Benefits is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit trust fund. Your NYSUT dues dollars are not used in any way to support Member Benefits' operating expenses. It receives funds from negotiated expense reimbursement or endorsement arrangements from some of the providers of endorsed programs. Call (800) 626-8101, email benefits@nysutmail.org, or visit Member Benefits and Services Website. On a local level, the VCTA's website provides an Investment Companies page highlighting 403b and 457b opportunities for members. Locally, the VCTA does not endorse any particular services.

NYSUT and the VCTA serve you with quality professional development opportunities. The NYSUT Education & Learning Trust is the professional development source for NYSUT members. ELT offers courses, workshops and educational programs for professional growth for all members. These programs include the opportunity to earn affordable undergraduate, graduate, and in-service credits to be eligible for salary increases and to obtain new certificate titles or extensions. ELT is committed to providing research-based programs with strategies for immediate applicability in your work. Contact ELT at (800) 528-6208 or at ELTmail@nysutmail.org. Locally, the VCTA lobbies on behalf of members for practical and timely district sponsored professional development. The VCTA takes an active role on both the district's professional development team, as well as the district's induction and mentoring programs.

NYSUT and the VCTA serve you with a wide variety of programs and specialized publications for activists. These program services are organized along the lines of constituencies such as new members, School-Related Professionals, higher education professionals, BOCES professionals, health care professionals, health and safety activists, and retirees. For more information on these NYSUT programs for activists, contact your local union leadership. The VCTA provides many informational bulletins, flyers and letter templates that guide members through complicated procedures such as child care leave, certification/credits, health enrollment, retirement and financial/investment options. To view some of these publications/templates select the following links: Forms, Letter & FAQs and Health Insurance Information.

NYSUT and the VCTA serve you through a Social Services network. Confidential and free, this benefit offers assessments and advocacy, referrals and reassurance to in-service and retired members. The goal is to help members with concerns about their lives and their families. Call (800) 342-9810, ext. 6206 or email socsvcs@nysutmail.org. The VCTA and District offer the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to members and their families. Select the preceding link to visit the EAP website or call (845) 294-5124 for more information.

NYSUT & the VCTA Empower You...

NYSUT and the VCTA lobby elected officials on your behalf. NYSUT dedicates a team of full-time legislative representatives to lobby on your behalf in Albany and Washington, where decisions are made every day that affect your professional life. Drawing on data from the union's professional polling center, NYSUT is an effective and non-partisan force on a wide variety of education, health care, labor and retiree issues. VCTA representatives join our NYSUT legislative representatives via our Committee of 100 lobbying initiative scheduled for March and May of each year. Notices/announcements are sent to members throughout the year when important legislative initiatives take place that will impact education. The VCTA also actively lobbies Central Office Administration and the Board of Education on a local level to ensure that children are kept center in all decisions related to education. Visit the VCTA's Legislative Action and VOTE-COPE pages for more information and links.

NYSUT and the VCTA advocate at the state Board of Regents and the state Education Department on your behalf. With the support and direction of locals such as the VCTA, NYSUT is your expert advocate with the myriad of state agencies where decisions and regulations can have a significant impact on your professional life. The latest information on new testing requirements, certification issues or economic trends is posted at NYSUT's Website, http://www.nysut.org.

NYSUT & the VCTA Challenge You...

As a union member, you can make a difference: by voting, by volunteering, and by contributing. NYSUT's lobbying muscle relies on participation by thousands of grass roots activists, who work through their local unions on behalf of union-endorsed candidates and legislation. NYSUT's non-partisan, voluntary political action fund―VOTE-COPE―depends on members' voluntary contributions to fuel effective and energetic grass-roots political action.

NYSUT and the VCTA are leaders on behalf of a wide range of causes that help those in need on a state and local level. Your participation will make the world a better place! NYSUT is a proud sponsor of events and organizations such as the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the American Heart Association's Walk, the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition Fast and fair trade sales, Special Olympics of New York, United Way, American Red Cross and many more charitable causes. NYSUT's tax-deductible Disaster Relief Fund has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help members and students affected by natural disasters at home and beyond. Get more information and donate online at http://www.nysut.org. As an informed consumer, when you purchase products made through "fair trade," you support workers who receive a fair wage for the work they do. NYSUT is a co-sponsor of the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition, founded more than 20 years ago to help labor and religious leaders work together for economic justice. The VCTA supports many worthy fundraisers on a local level including the Montgomery Food Pantry and multiple scholarship initiatives. To view a list of our most recent initiatives visit our Fundraising page.

VOTE...VOLUNTEER...CONTRIBUTE...

NYSUT and the VCTA serve you...

NYSUT and the VCTA empower you...

It's Your Union!

VOTE...

VOLUNTEER...