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:

Stacy Chamberlain, 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 $848 per year from its members. Local unions typically charge additional dues.

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

Council 75 collected $10.8 million in dues and fees from its members in 2020, according to financial reports the union must file with the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

In 2020 alone:

$1.9 million was spent on political activity and lobbying.
$528,124 was spent on attorneys and private consultants.
$44,004 was paid in contributions to a variety of organizations, some of which are ideologically driven.
$5,324 was spent on travel for union staff.

AFSCME Council 75 paid 88 employees in 2020, 26 of whom were paid six figures. Executive director Stacy Chamberlain-Cano received $152,553. The union also holds $6 million in cash reserves.

AFSCME Council 75’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.

A portion of the dues paid by AFSCME Council 75 members goes to AFSCME International, headquartered in Washington, D.C.

AFSCME International

AFSCME collected $183 million from its members nationwide in 2020.

$62 million was spent by AFSCME on divisive political candidates, causes and lobbying. This included $115,000 of campaign support for Michael Madigan, former speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, who recently fell into disgrace under accusations of corruption and cronyism.
$2.9 million was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations. This includes $5,000 donated to the Alliance for Global Justice, a left-wing, anti-capitalist organization that grew out of the Nicaragua Network, which supported the Communist Sandinista regime in Nicaragua.
$1.3 million was spent on airfare, hotels and travel for union staff.
$4.6 million was spent on attorneys and private consultants.
$71,500 was spent on food and catering.

AFSCME paid 484 employees in 2020, 211 of whom were paid six figures. AFSCME’s international president, Lee Saunders, was paid $357,000.

AFSCME’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.