Frequently Asked Questions |
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What is a service fee?  |
A service fee is a charge assessed to non-union members of a bargaining unit for work that an exclusive representative (“the union”) performs related to the administration of the MOU, collective bargaining and representation of all bargaining unit employees.
If you are a union member you will pay no additional fee; you will continue paying your regular union dues. Employees who are non-union members will be assessed a service fee.
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| What is the origin of the service fee? |
As a result of the passage of the Fair Share Act of 2009, the State and exclusive representatives were permitted to collectively bargain for the payment of service fees (also called “fair share” fees).
In the most recent negotiations, and as part of a comprehensive agreement containing significant wage-related benefits, the State of Maryland and the various exclusive representatives bargained for the right to charge such a fee and by majority vote, bargaining unit members voted to “ratify” the agreements containing the service fee provision.
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| How do I know to which bargaining unit I am assigned? |
If you are unsure of your bargaining unit assignment, you may contact your Human Resources office. The bargaining unit assignments are:
A - Labor and trades
B - Administrative, technical and clerical
C - Regulatory, inspection, and licensure
D - Health and human service nonprofessionals
E - Health care professionals
F - Social and human service professionals
G - Engineering, scientific, and administrative professionals
H - Public safety and security
I - Sworn police officers
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| How do I find out which union is my exclusive representative? |
Once you determine your bargaining unit, you can find your exclusive representative under the “Contact Information” section of this webpage.
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| Will my bargaining unit change at any time during my State employment? |
If your job classification changes or you move to a State agency that is not included in collective bargaining, your bargaining unit status may change. |
| How much is the service fee? |
The service fee may not exceed the amount of dues regularly paid by members of the union (i.e., union dues). You should contact the exclusive representative for your bargaining unit to determine what the fee will be.
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| When will I have to begin paying the service fee? |
Service fees will commence July 1, 2011 or within thirty (30) calendar days of employment in the bargaining unit, whichever comes later. The payment of the service fee is a condition of employment.
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| How often do I have to pay the service fee? |
For non-union members, the service fee will be automatically withheld from your bi-weekly pay.
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| Will I be notified before the service fee is deducted from my paycheck? |
Yes, you will receive a Service Fee Notice from your exclusive representative prior to the initiation of the service fee payroll deduction. You should carefully read the notice and any information sent to you.
The Service Fee Notice provides members of the bargaining unit with an annual accounting of the activities of the union that are chargeable to non-union, bargaining unit members and those that are not chargeable.
Chargeable activities are those that are representational in nature (such as negotiation activities, MOU administration, and overall representation). Non-chargeable activities would include political activities engaged in by the union. |
| Will I have to authorize the deduction of the service fee from my paycheck? |
No. The service fee will be deducted without the necessity of a signed authorization.
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| What if I do not want to pay union dues or service fees because I choose not to be a member of the union? |
If you do not wish to pay union dues but you are a member of a bargaining unit with the exception of Bargaining Unit I, represented by State Law Enforcement Officers’ Labor Alliance (SLEOLA), you may make known your objection to paying fees that support non-representational (or union member-only) activities known as non-chargeable expenses. This is known as a “political objection” and, once properly filed, will require you to pay only for representational activities, such as: negotiation and administration of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and the handling of grievances or other disputes on behalf of bargaining unit members.
Objecting non-members also may challenge the computation of the service fee within 30 days after receipt of the Service Fee Notice. See the applicable MOU for more details on disputes and challenges to the calculation of chargeable expenses.
For more information on the Unit G process, see the Fair Share Notice at: MPEC For more information on the Unit E process, see AFT Healthcare Fair Share and Objector Notice at: AFT For more information on the Unit A, B, C, D, F, and H process, see the Hudson Notice at: AFSCME |
| What if due to my religious beliefs, I am opposed to financially supporting the union? |
If your sincerely held religious beliefs would prevent you from joining or financially supporting any collective bargaining organization, you may wish to seek an exemption as a “conscientious objector.”
Note that for employees who are members of Bargaining Unit I, represented by SLEOLA, the term “conscientious objector” is not used; however, employees within that bargaining unit may be excluded from payment of the service fee where the employee holds religious beliefs that are opposed to joining or financially supporting any collective bargaining organization (see FAQ “How can I establish that I am a “conscientious objector”, below, for more information).
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| How can I establish that I am a “conscientious objector”? |
Except for employees of Bargaining Unit I (represented by SLEOLA), if you wish to establish “conscientious objector” status, you must obtain a Declaration of Bona Fide Religious Objection and Selection of Charitable Organization form from the union. This form must be completed and submitted to the union and the Department of Budget and Management (301 W. Preston St. Room 609, Baltimore, MD 21201, Attn: Cindy Kollner) within thirty days of receipt of the annual Service Fee Notice.
Members of Bargaining Unit I may submit awritten statement setting forth the basis of his or her religious beliefs in accordance with the provisions set forth in the MOU for Bargaining Unit I. This statement must be submitted prior to July 1 of each contract year, or within 30 days of being hired into a bargaining unit position, whichever is later.
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| What type of proof must be furnished? |
An employee may furnish proof of charitable contributions by providing an original receipt issued by the charitable organization or a credit card statement or cancelled check reflecting such payment. This proof of payment must be provided to the union and the Department of Budget and Management.
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| If I am a “conscientious objector”, does this mean I do not have to pay anything? |
No. Although employees who are determined to be “conscientious objectors” are not required to pay a service fee to the union, they are required to pay an amount equal to the service fee to any charitable organization exempt from taxation by the Internal Revenue Code, §501(c)(3), and to furnish proof monthly of such contributions, except that for members of Bargaining Unit I, represented by SLEOLA, employees who object to paying service fees on religious grounds will be required to provide proof of payment prior to the end of the contract year.
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| What happens if I fail to furnish proof that a charitable contribution was made? |
Unless you are in Bargaining Unit I, failure to provide monthly proof of such contributions will be treated as a voluntary revocation of the conscientious objector status and the service fee deduction will be instituted.
Bargaining Unit I members will be required to provide such proof at the end of the contract year.
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| Will the union represent me even if I am a conscientious objector? |
Yes, but with the exception of Bargaining Unit I employees represented by SLEOLA, the exclusive representative will charge for the reasonable costs of the representation.
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