To opt out of Laborers’ Local 483 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 Local 483 at the address at the top of the form. We highly recommend sending it via certified mail.
Laborers’ Local 483 is a local LiUNA union, representing approximately 1,300 workers in the City of Portland and other local government employees in Oregon.
For years, city employees were required to pay union dues to Local 483 as a condition of employment and the city automatically deducted union dues from workers’ paychecks.
However, because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Janus v. AFSCME (2018), city employees can now demand that Local 483 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
Completing the form above will generate a letter you can send to Laborers’ Local 483 to resign your formal union membership and cease paying dues.
Send a signed copy of your letter to:
Ryan Sotomayor, Business Manager
LIUNA 483
17230 NE Sacramento St., Suite 203
Portland, OR 97230
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.
According to federal filings in 2024, LIUNA 483 dues can cost up to $1,800 per year.
Yes. Local 483 has arranged to be the “exclusive representative” of its bargaining units, meaning it is impossible for workers to get out of the terms of the contract, even if they cease paying dues.
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.
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.
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 likely 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.
LIUNA 483
LIUNA 483 collected $1.5 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. Dept. of Labor.
In 2024 alone:
- $333,172 went to the LIUNA headquarters in Washington, D.C., to support its massive political, economic, and social agenda. LIUNA regularly supports a host of controversial organizations.
- $22,103 was spent by LIUNA 483 on political activity and lobbying.
- $572,613 was spent on compensation and disbursements to officers and employees.
Among the 13 employees paid by LIUNA 483 in 2024, Business Manager Ryan Sotomayor received the highest compensation at $139,937. LIUNA 483’s cash stockpile amounted to $519,103 at the end of 2024.
LIUNA 483’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.
A portion of the dues paid by LIUNA 483 members goes to support the Oregon & Southern Idaho District Council of Laborers.
Oregon & Southern Idaho District Council
The District Council collected over $1.5 million from its local affiliate unions in 2024, according to LM-2 reports, the union is required to file with the U.S. Dept. of Labor.
In 2024 alone:
- $411,792 was spent on political activity and lobbying.
- $64,182 was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations.
- $12,926 was spent on hotel expenses for union staff.
- $20,864 was spent on union advertising.
- $767,112 was spent on compensation and disbursements to officers and employees.
Among the 14 employees paid by the District Council in 2024, Business Manager Jeff Gritz received the highest compensation at $229,548. The District Council currently $1.4 million in cash reserves.
The Oregon & Southern Idaho District Council’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.
Lastly, a portion of the dues paid by LIUNA 483 members goes to support the LIUNA international headquarters in Washington, D.C.
LIUNA Headquarters
The LIUNA headquarters collected over $100 million from local affiliated unions in 2024, according to LM-2 reports, the union is required to file with the Dept. of Labor.
- $16.3 million was spent on divisive political candidates, causes, and lobbying.
- $3.3 million was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations.
- $1.1 million was spent on airfare, hotels, and travel.
- $3 million was spent on conferences, events, and catering.
- $1.9 million was spent on office expenses, promotional items, and union advertising.
The LIUNA headquarters paid 232 employees in 2024, 140 of whom were paid six figures. The LIUNA HQ’s general president, Brent Booker, was paid $762,622. $40,109,044 was spent on compensation and disbursements to officers and employees.
As of 2024, LIUNA HQ has accumulated a cash stockpile of $22 million.
LIUNA Headquarters’ most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.