AAUP Membership: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the “AAUP bargaining unit?”
A: Faculty and librarians who are eligible to become full members of the AAUP. Certain administrators are not in the bargaining unit, nor are faculty or librarians who work less than half-time.
Q: Is membership in the bargaining unit automatic?
A: Yes, anyone eligible to become a full member of the AAUP is automatically a member of the bargaining unit.
Q: How do you benefit from the AAUP?
A: You obtain your salary, benefits and employee protection through the Contract achieved by the AAUP negotiating team, without having to convince your employer to give you those things.
Q: If you are a member of the bargaining unit, but not a full member of AAUP, how much is deducted from your bi-weekly pay check?
A: $15.87 per check. Called the “rep” (representation) fee.
Q: If you are a full member of AAUP, how much is deducted from your bi-weekly pay check?
A: $20 per check. This is only $4.13 more than the representation fee per check.
Q: Why does it matter if I become a full member of AAUP?
A: Strong membership helps the AAUP when we are attempting to resolve open issues for the faculty and/or librarians. If membership falls below 50%, the AAUP could be decertified here! That would mean no AAUP here. WE WOULD LOSE OUR CONTRACT AND PROTECTION!
Q: Who decides whether you become a full member of the AAUP?
A: You do. Simply fill out the form authorizing payroll deduction for full AAUP membership. ($4.13 more per pay check.)