Back Dues
One aspect of the Financial Secretary’s job is to account for all dues that are being paid into the branch.
Each pay period we receive a printout from the National Headquarters listing each person, each station, and the amount of dues deducted from each member. When letter carriers are injured on-the-job, after the first forty-five (45) day period when Continuation of Pay (COP) ends, and they are receiving compensation from OWCP, their union dues are not deducted and cannot be deducted from their pay. Most carriers are not aware of this fact, and they fall in arrears of their union dues. This situation also exists when a letter carrier is out on a “removal”, “indefinite suspension”, or lengthy unpaid sick leave.
The Branch is charged per number of union members on the rolls. When a carrier is in a Leave Without Pay (LWOP) status, the Branch is still charged the dues for that carrier. Being in arrears in union dues can jeopardize your health insurance coverage if you are covered by the NALC Health Plan, along with other union benefits, such as Eyeglass chits, voting in local elections, or running for local shop steward. It is incumbent on the members who are in arrears in dues to pay their union dues directly to the branch when they are out of work and/or receiving OWCP benefits as they have been paid by the branch for you.
Periodic notices are sent to all members who are in arrears in their dues.
Any back dues owed can be made in installments until the balance is paid in full. We realize that when carriers are out on compensation it can take a long time before you can get paid for that time. This can be an extremely tough time for the carrier. If you are in arrears in dues and are having difficulty making payments, please call the Branch office and speak to the Financial Secretary to make some type of accommodation.
The Branch also has a representative available to assist you if you are having difficulty with a compensation claim. Please call the Branch office and speak to the Compensation Officer.
Be safe and keep smiling.
