Information on HPAE Dues

How much do members pay in dues?

HPAE membership dues are equal to 1.1% of an employee’s gross salary (including overtime payments). Thus, if an employee has a gross salary of $2500 over a 2 weeks pay period, then the employer will deduct $27.50 in HPAE dues for that pay period.

Where does this dues money go to and for what purposes?

1. PER CAPITA DUES TO AFT: HPAE is affiliated with a national union, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The national AFT constitution provides that affiliates pay “per capita dues” to the AFT. HPAE’s per capita dues to AFT amount to approximately 25% of total HPAE dues. In exchange for our per capita dues payments, AFT provides us with:
• Assistance regarding legal, financial research, bargaining, and health & safety issues
• Assistance in organizing new members
• Various publications and email alerts
• Professional development conferences and workshops, such as the annual Professional Issues Conference (PIC)
• Consumer discounts and group insurance programs through “AFT Plus” Member Benefits
• Lobbying on a national level
• Professional training programs

2. LOCAL UNION EXPENSES AND OFFICER REIMBURSEMENTS: HPAE local unions receive back 11% of the dues collected from the local’s members. Three percent (3%) of the dues go to the local as a “rebate”. Local unions use this money for membership meetings, conferences, reimbursing Reps and officers for transportation and other expenses, and for other purposes based on approved guidelines. In addition, eight (8%) to a maximum of $40,000 per year of the HPAE dues are returned in the form of “stipends” to individual local officers and reps to reimburse them for ¬some of the many personal hours spent on union activities. However, in order to receive these stipends, a local union must meet certain minimum standards, such as holding regular membership and Officer meetings, publishing a local newsletter, etc.

3. HPAE OPERATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES: The balance of the dues money – approximately 64% - is used to fund HPAE’s programs and activities in membership representation, collective bargaining, organizing, and political action. Money is allocated based on an annual budget with review, input, and final approval by the member-controlled State Executive Council, which includes representatives from all HPAE local unions. Some key categories of union expenses are:
• Legal expenses for grievances and arbitrations, in particular, attorney and arbitrator fees
• Research, reports, and financial analysis for contract negotiations
• Lobbying and paid media for legislation vital to health care professionals (e.g. New Jersey’s ban on mandatory overtime)
• Professional development trainings and workshops (CEUs)
• Printing and postage costs of local union newsletters and other publications
• Trainings and conferences for HPAE’s Officers and Representatives
• Maintenance of the HPAE offices (including rent, utilities, office equipment and supplies).
• Salaries and benefits of HPAE staff and State officers

In sum, your dues money helps maintain HPAE as a strong union that can be an effective advocate for healthcare professionals. For more information on HPAE’s dues and finances, please contact HPAE’s Secretary-Treasurer, Barbara Rosen, at brosen@hpae.org.