Assistant Trustee Update: Dues Process Overview

/by

Fellow Pilots,

Dues Process Overview

In late January 2025 a review of members with LOA (Leave of Absence) was started using Company provided data. Member ledgers, in the TITAN (Teamsters Information Terminal Accounting Network) were reviewed for correct payment of dues obligation and corrections were made to members’ ledgers as allowed by the IBT Constitution and Secretary Treasurers Manual.

We found 172 member records that were delinquent in dues ranging from $0.39 to $2,015.86 and 6 members who are owed a refund. To correctly fix each member’s record a request was made to the General Secretary-Treasurer and we received approval April 11, 2025. Correcting each member’s ledger will be completed the week of April 21st.

Member records for improper Withdrawal procedures will be requested after the corrections approved on April 11, 2025 are completed.

The IBT Constitution can be found on the Union website here and Teamsters website here. The Secretary Treasurers Manual is available at the Local Office.

Teamsters Information Terminal Accounting Network is used for determining eligibility to vote and run for elected office. Member address provided by the Company are used are the official mailing address. When you update your email address in Union Impact the Union will also update TITAN.

Why did this occur?

Improper application of the IBT Constitution, Secretary Treasurers Manual, and limited requests by your Union to collect delinquent dues. Members were incorrectly placed on Withdrawal, incorrectly returned, and/or not suspended after three (3) months when delinquent in the payment of dues, fines, or assessments.

How do you become delinquent?

The IBT Constitution dues requirement is in Art X, Sec. 3.d.iv – “. . .minimum dues of 1.56% of monthly guaranteed salary.” The Company takes 1.56% of your monthly wages. When your wages are greater than 70 PCH your dues obligation will be met, unless you have deductions from your pay that do not allow for the collection of minimum dues. When your wages are less than 70 PCH you will not have the correct dues deducted and will be delinquent. When delinquent in your dues the only way to correct is to pay the amount below 70 PCH. When you are delinquent in dues, to maintain good standing, the dues must be paid by the last business day of the month. Payment of Dues and Fees is found in the IBT Constitution Art X, Sec 5.

Exceptions to monthly dues obligation

  1. When a member goes out on a company-approved LOA, you are responsible for your dues in the month you start Withdrawal and the month when you return from Withdrawal. No dues are collected for the complete months out on Withdrawal. Jurisdiction to Issue Honorable Withdrawal Card in the IBT Constitution Art XVIII, Sec 6. The Local does not put you on Withdrawal automatically, you must request to be placed on Withdrawal. When you go out on a Withdrawal, you interrupt your good standing. When you are out on Withdrawal, you are not eligible to vote. When you go out on Withdrawal, you interrupt your 24 consecutive months prior to the month of nomination for Union Office and will not be eligible until you reestablish 24 consecutive months of “continuous good standing.” Eligibility to run for Office in the IBT Constitution Art II Sec 4.
  2. Members in the reserve component of the military or National Guard on orders lasting more than 30 days and less than 24 months are on a LOA. Before the LOA can start, you must be a member in good standing. When your Military Orders are commenced, no dues are collected in the month you start, the complete months you are out, and the month you return. Eligibility to run for Office is in the IBT Constitution, Art II, Sec 4, pg 15.

What to expect:

All members will end February 2025 as members in good standing. The corrections were completed as approved by the General Secretary-Treasurer. The dues for March 2025 were processed and documented in each members TITAN record. Those members who are delinquent in payment of their dues will be notified.

You can determine if your wages on the March 15th paycheck were below the 70 PCH minimum dues obligation using the link. The chart shows the minimum dues for Captains and First Officer for each year of longevity at DOS+5.

  1. The Union will work with the Company:
    • To have 70 PCH minimum dues collected each month
    • Company approved LOA and members on military orders will be provided with monthly dues to the Union.
  2. When members are delinquent in monthly dues the Union will:
    • Notify each pilot by email and/or email of any delinquent dues obligation
    • Notification will be sent to the address provided by the Company and the email provided by the member
    • Provide the option for the member to have the Company take the delinquent dues obligation from the next 15th paycheck
      1. Form will be attached to the email and/or included in the letter;
      2. Provide the date by which the form must be received by the Union to have the dues deducted;
      3. Provide the form to the Company to allow dues to be deducted
  3. Audit member records and refund any overpayment (usually for LOA and Military Orders) as appropriate.
  4. Request that Military members who go out on Orders, greater than 30 days, provide documentation to the Union at your earliest convenience, and the Union will confirm the dates when we receive the monthly dues payment from the Company
  5. Request members who go out on LOA, greater than one entire month, provide FLMA documentation to the Union at your earliest convenience and the Union will confirm the dates when we receive the monthly dues payment from the Company.

When updates for the Withdrawal process or allowance for a minimum dues payment occur, the Union will provide notification on the Union Website and email update.

Fraternally,

James B. Clark II
Assistant Trustee
APA Teamsters Local 2118