This site is dedicated to helping you.  Each year, you pay hundreds of dollars in union dues. Most of this money (the "agency fee") is used to help your union fund its collective bargaining activities and other related activities.

If, for personal religious beliefs or convictions, you object to belonging to your labor union, you can direct the union to pay your "agency fee" to a charity of your choice. The benefactor may be any non-profit cause or charity (for example, the Sierra Club, the Boy Scouts, your church, the Red Cross, etc.).

The other part of your dues is used by your union for political purposes. While the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled this a legal use of your dues,  the Court has also ruled that you have the right to a refund of this money with no change of your union status.

It is important to know that if you choose to have your Agency Fees paid to a charity, you will keep all rights and benefits of collective bargaining. However, you do forfeit benefits provided by your union, such as extra liability insurance, etc. These benefits can, in most cases, be replaced at a much lesser cost.

To inform union members of their right to choose, the Pacific Justice Institute, an independent, non-profit organization, has established an educational project called "Choose Charity." This project exists to help union members learn about and, if inclined, exercise this important option.