Frequently Asked Questions Re: Fair Share

Q:        What is fair share?

A:        The fair share fee, also known as a representation fee, is a fee paid by members of  faculty who are represented by the Kent State Chapter of the AAUP for purposes of collective bargaining but who do not become members of AAUP-KSU.  

Paying the fair share fee is not the same as membership. You will need to fill out a brief form in order to become a member in the Association.  If you don’t fill out the form, then you are a fair share fee payer, but not a member with membership benefits that include voting rights.

Q:        I don’t understand why I should pay if I choose not to become a member.

A:        The philosophy behind the fair-share fee is that all individuals who benefit from the services provided by AAUP-KSU should pay to support those services. The assessment of a fair share fee is completely permissible under Ohio law.

Q:        Then why haven’t I ever had to pay a fair-share fee before?

A:        In the last contract negotiations, AAUP-KSU bargained for the right to conduct a vote of all represented individuals to determine whether fair-share should be implemented. An election was held in fall 2005, and both the Tenure Track and Non-Tenure Track faculty voted overwhelmingly in favor of implementing a fair share fee.

Q:        If I have to pay this fee, what do I get for my money?

A:        All members of the bargaining unit, union members and non-members alike, benefit from AAUP-KSU’s efforts towards contract enforcement and negotiation of future contracts.

Q:        That doesn’t seem like a lot for the money.

A:        While contract enforcement and negotiating take up the bulk of AAUP-KSU’s time and resources, there are additional benefits should you decide to become a member.

Q:        Maybe I will, but what is the difference in financial support between being a fair- share fee-payer and a member of AAUP-KSU?

A:        Fair share fee payers will contribute .0078 of their base salary (deducted via payroll deduction over 9 months).  Members contribute slightly more at .0080 of their base salary, also via payroll deduction over 9 months.   Another way of saying this is that fair- share fee payers pay 97.5% of membership dues.  Thus, for a very small additional amount, you become a member with additional benefits. 

Sample calculation:  On a salary of $50,000, a member would pay approximately $44.44/month over 9 months of payroll deduction.  A fair share fee payer would pay $43.33/month over that same 9 months of payroll deduction.  Thus, for about a dollar more/month, you have all the rights and privileges of membership.

Q:        So what are these additional benefits?

A:        The most important benefit of membership is the right to vote on such issues as future collective bargaining agreements, the election of department or campus representatives to the AAUP-KSU Council, which is the governing body of the Chapter, and future AAUP-KSU Presidents.  Also, as a KSU Chapter member, you will become a member of the national AAUP, which is a professional organization known for its defense of academic freedom and tenure.  As an AAUP member, you will also receive a subscription to Academe, which publishes an annual survey of faculty salaries.
           
Some of the additional benefits of membership include free notary services, access to one free legal consultation per year, membership in the Kent Credit Union and/or Seven Seventeen Credit Union, and a complimentary copy of the latest edition of AAUP’s Policy Documents and Reports on request.

A complete list of benefits is available from the AAUP-KSU office.

Q:        What if I don’t want to pay?

A:        Each fall, you will receive a letter from AAUP-KSU detailing your rights as a religious or conscientious objector.  If you fit the profile detailed in the letter, follow the directions for establishing your status.  Note that this does not enable you to opt out of paying the fair-share fee, but you may be able to direct an amount equal to the fair-share fee to another cause.

Q:        What if I have other objections to paying the fair-share fee?

A:        Other objections are also covered in the same letter.  Follow the procedures detailed under the section entitled: “Objection Procedure.”

Q:        I think I understand the basics now, and I want to become a member with all of the membership rights that go along with that.  How do I become a member?

A:        Membership involves filling out a brief form, which can be obtained from the AAUP-KSU office (330/ 673-9118), or downloaded from the AAUP-KSU website at  MembershipForm_3-2008.pdf

Q:        I appreciate this information, but if I have other questions or concerns, to whom should I direct them?

A:         The staff and executive officers of AAUP-KSU are always happy to take your questions. Contact the office at 330/ 673-9118 or email the office at  office@aaupksu.org  for any additional information.