SEIU 517M

To opt out of SEIU 517M dues:

Enter your information into the form below and click “submit.”
On the resulting 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 about needing a printed version, we’ll mail you a copy of the form.
Sign and date the form.
Mail the completed form to the address at the top of the form. We highly recommend sending it via certified mail.

SEIU Local 517M is the designated union for approximately 7,500 public employees in Michigan, including state, local government, and school district employees.

In the past, public employees in Michigan could be forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment, allowing unions like SEIU 517M to take their members for granted. However, because Michigan is now a “right-to-work” state, public employees can no longer be required to financially support a labor union against their will.

Furthermore, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Janus v. AFSCME reaffirmed that all public employees have a constitutional right to choose for themselves whether to pay any union dues.

You can opt out of SEIU 517M dues by filling out the form, printing it and mailing it to the union.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I send my resignation to the union?

You should receive some acknowledgement of your request from the union within a few weeks.

In most cases, union dues are automatically deducted from employees’ paychecks. Monitor your paychecks to make sure the dues deductions stop. If the deductions continue for more than a couple pay periods after submitting your opt-out request, contact the union.

Finally, keep in mind:

Opting out is your constitutional right. However, unions like SEIU 517M sometimes place restrictions on when they will accept opt-out requests. If the union refuses to immediately cancel dues deductions from your pay, ask them to provide you with written documentation and contact us for assistance.

How much are SEIU 517M dues?

According to recent federal filings, SEIU 517M dues can be as high as $60 per month, or $771 per year. In 2022, the average member paid $678 in dues.

Will the union continue to represent me if I opt out?

Yes. SEIU 517M 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.

In exchange for the monopoly of this particular service, SEIU 517M is legally obligated to represent all employees in the workplace, including those who choose not to join the union as members.

The collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the union and your employer will continue to set the terms and conditions of your employment and the union will continue to represent you in grievances, contract enforcement, discipline assistance or other proceedings governed by the collective bargaining agreement.

Will I lose wages, health care, retirement or other benefits if I opt out?

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, health benefits, retirement, and anything else governed by the collective bargaining agreement will remain unchanged if you opt out of SEIU 517M.

How will my relationship with the union change if I opt out?

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 any special “members only” benefits, such as discounts on additional insurance, scholarship programs, or deals the union has arranged with businesses. You may no longer receive the union newsletter or similar publications.

Why do people opt out of the union?

People have many reasons for not wanting to support the union. Some simply do not believe the services the union provides are worth the dues it charges. Others may find the union’s one-size-fits-all agenda does not serve them well because they are new to the profession, have a specialty that is not acknowledged in bargaining, or they believe their effectiveness is undercompensated. Some resent the union’s role in enabling and defending underperforming employees. Many find the union’s political activity and use of dues to advance partisan causes, candidates and ideology distasteful. Still others believe that union officials are corrupt and unaccountable to their membership.

Unions representing public employees are not governed by the usual consumer protection or anti-trust laws, so abuses are common. Unions can charge whatever they wish. They can spend dues money on anything they want. Often, they do not have to disclose how dues money is spent to members. They can speak for employees without consulting or informing them. They can injure some members’ interests while advancing the interests of others. Unions even have the ability to prevent employees from getting help in their workplace from other sources. They are not governed by any obligation to provide quality service, and almost never have to seek approval of the people they represent in an election to continue as the exclusive representative.

Sometimes people have a faith-based objection to unions’ expenditures. To learn more about some of the major public unions’ expenditures in light of common faith beliefs, click here.

How does SEIU 517M spend my dues money?

Service Employees International Union 517M

SEIU 517M collected $2.7 million in dues and fees from its members in fiscal year 2024, according to 990 reports the union is required to file with the IRS.

In 2024 alone:

$640,859 went to affiliates like the SEIU headquarters in Washington, D.C., to support its massive political, economic, and social agenda.
$144,537 was spent on travel, conferences, and conventions.
$101,995 was spent on office expenses.
SEIU 517M compensated its officers and employees $1.25 million in salaries, wages, and benefits in 2024.

At the end of the filing period, SEIU 517M reported that the union’s spare cash had increased to $2.7 million.

SEIU 517M’s most recent 990 reports can be found here: 2024, 2023A, 2023B, 2022, 2021.

A portion of the dues paid by SEIU 517M members goes to support SEIU Michigan, a statewide political arm of SEIU.

SEIU Michigan

SEIU Michigan collected $157,369 in dues and fees from its local unions in 2024. It also received an additional $4.1 million from the national SEIU affiliate, according to federal filings that the union is required to submit with the Department of Labor.

In 2024 alone:

$3 million was spent by SEIU Michigan on political activity and lobbying.
$67,595 was paid or contributed to largely ideological causes and organizations.
$12,000 was spent on a “post-election party” at the Motor City Casino hotel, under political activity and lobbying.
$72,000 went to the SEIU headquarters in Washington, D.C., to support its massive political, economic, and social agenda.

SEIU Michigan paid 9 employees in 2024. SEIU Michigan’s executive director, Jennifer Root, received $149,859 in total compensation.

SEIU Michigan also reported having $301,612 in cash reserves.

SEIU Michigan’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 members also goes to support the SEIU international headquarters.

Service Employees International Union

According to federal filings that the union is required to submit to the Department of Labor, SEIU headquarters collected over $259 million from local affiliates through member dues in 2024.

In 2024 alone:

$46 million was spent by SEIU HQ on divisive political candidates, causes, and lobbying.
$4.8 million was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations.
$2.2 million was spent on office expenses, promotional items, and union advertising.
$29.4 million was spent on conferences and catering over the course of the year.
$10.4 million was spent on airfare, hotels, and travel for union staff.

SEIU paid 497 employees in 2024, with 344 receiving six-figure salaries. SEIU’s International President, April Verrett, was paid $301,513.

As of 2024, SEIU has accumulated a cash stockpile of $23,774,576.

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