AFSCME State of Michigan Members Fight Dues Reauthorization
On February 7, 2025, The Michigan Civil Service Commission reviewed the subject of dues reauthorization for State of Michigan workers. This requirement made it so that members had to go into an online portal on a yearly basis to resign to have dues be automatically deducted. If they did not jump through this hoop, dues would no longer be automatically deducted jeopardizing their membership.
“By requiring State of Michigan employees to reauthorize each year it adds just another hurdle to being a union member,” said Gino Carbenia, Executive Director of AFSCME Michigan. “It causes many individuals to forget to reauthorize their dues being taken from their paycheck which in turn could affect their membership. While this doesn’t seem important to some, many union members are proud to be part of the union and understand the importance of building strength in numbers and having one strong unified voice. This process takes this right from them.”
In a room full of labor supporters AFSCME Member, Josh Skinner from Local 831 testified about the importance of removing this extra hurdle of dues reauthorization.
Skinner stated, “Our members voices need to be heard. They are frustrated and tired of having to continually reauthorize their dues. They are frustrated with the time it takes to reauthorize and the hoops they must jump through just to continue to be members.”
He spoke along with Josh Vansickle from MSEA and the hundreds of AFSCME members who responded to our call of action to send letters to the Michigan Labor Commission.
Everyone’s hard work did pay off when the Michigan Civil Service Commission decided to remove yearly dues reauthorization for State of Michigan workers. Now, once a member signs up to be a member of AFSCME Michigan, that membership will remain, without having to reauthorize dues deduction again year after year.
This is a huge win for our State of Michigan members and a true showing of how together we can make our voices even stronger.