AFSCME Council 75

To opt out of AFSCME Council 75 dues:

Enter your information into the form below and click “submit.”
On the next page, click the link to open your customized form. You will also receive an email with a link to your form.
Print the form. If you check the appropriate box below, we’ll mail you a copy of the form.
Sign and date the form.
Mail the completed form to AFSCME-75 at the address at the top of the form. We highly recommend sending it via certified mail.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 75 represents approximately 33,000 workers across Oregon.

For years, public employees were required to pay union dues to AFSCME Council 75 as a condition of employment and the state, city or county automatically deducted union dues from workers’ paychecks.

However, because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Janus v. AFSCME (2018), public employees can now demand that AFSCME-75 cease withholding union dues/fees from their paychecks.

The court ruled that the mandatory dues requirement violated workers’ First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association, and that public employees have the right to choose for themselves whether to pay any union dues or fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop AFSCME Council 75 from deducting dues from my paychecks?

Completing the form above will generate a letter you can send to AFSCME to resign your formal union membership and cease paying dues.

Send a signed copy of your letter to:

Joseph Baessler, Executive Director
AFSCME Council 75
1400 Tandem Ave. NE
Salem, OR 97301

We highly recommend sending the letter via certified mail so you have proof of delivery. Keep a copy of the letter and your certified mail receipt for your reference.

How much are AFSCME Council 75 dues?

According to federal filings, AFSCME Council 75 collects 1.27% of wages per month with a maximum of $84.45 per month.

If I stop paying dues to the union, will I still receive the same wages and benefits specified in AFSCME Council 75's contract with the state?

Yes. AFSCME-75 has arranged to be the “exclusive representative” of its bargaining units, meaning it is impossible for workers to get out of the terms of their contract, even if they cease paying dues.

Does opting out affect my pension?

No. Under state law, a union contract is binding on all employees in a bargaining unit, regardless of whether they are technically union “members.” Your compensation, benefits and conditions of employment are all set by the contract and will remain unchanged regardless of whether you are technically a union member and regardless of whether you choose to pay union dues.

Will I lose my health insurance?

No. Your health insurance and other employer-provided benefits will remain the same regardless of your union membership status.

Will the union stop helping me with workplace issues?

The union has been recognized by the state as the “exclusive representative” of all members of the bargaining unit, whether formal union members or not. In return for the monopoly on this particular service, unions have a corresponding legal duty to provide fair representation.

How will my relationship with the union change if I resign my membership in AFSCME and stop paying dues?

While the terms of the contract will still govern your employment, union officials commonly prohibit nonmembers from participating in internal union affairs, such as attending union meetings, voting for union officers or participating in contract ratification votes. You’ll also be ineligible for certain “members only” benefits, such as discounts on additional insurance or deals the union has arranged with businesses, if any. You may no longer receive the union newsletter or similar publications.

How does AFSCME Council 75 spend my dues money?

Much of your local AFSCME union dues are sent to the union’s statewide affiliate, AFSCME Council 75, and AFSCME’s international headquarters.

AFSCME Council 75

AFSCME Council 75 collected $15 million in dues and fees from its members in 2024, according to LM-2 reports the union is required to file with the U.S. Department of Labor.

$1.7 million was paid towards supporting political candidates, activities, and lobbyist groups.
$46,252 was paid or contributed to largely ideologically driven organizations.
$204,797 was spent on hotels, airfare, and travel expenses.
$398,821 was spent on conferences, events, and catering throughout the year.
$292,523 was spent on office expenses, promotional items, and union advertising.

In 2024, AFSCME Council 75 paid 110 employees and officers, 46 of whom were paid six-figures. AFSCME Council 75’s executive director, Joseph Baessler, received a salary of $196,580.

AFSCME Council 75’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019.

Lastly, a portion of the dues paid by AFSCME 132 members goes to support AFSCME headquarters.

American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees

According to federal filings that the union must submit to the Department of Labor, AFSCME headquarters collected over $192 million from local affiliated unions in 2024.

In 2024 alone:

$51.5 million was spent by the AFSCME HQ on divisive political candidates, causes, and lobbying. This figure includes an expense of $1,250,000 to the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.
$1.5 million was paid or contributed to largely ideologically driven organizations.
$2.2 million was spent on office expenses, promotional items, and union advertising.
$13.5 million was spent on conferences and catering throughout the year.
$2.6 million was spent on airfare, hotels, and travel for union staff.

AFSCME HQ paid 510 employees in 2024, 280 of whom were paid six figures. AFSCME HQ’s International President, Lee Saunders, was paid $413,861.

AFSCME’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020.