LIUNA Local 737

To opt out of LIUNA Local 737 dues:

Enter your information into the form below and click “submit.”
On the resulting page, click the link to open your customized form. You will also receive an email with a link to your form.
Print the form. If you check the appropriate box about needing a printed version, we’ll mail you a copy of the form.
Sign and date the form.
Mail the completed form to the address at the top of the form. We highly recommend sending it via certified mail.

Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 737 (LIUNA Local 737) is the designated union for approximately 3,000 laborers and construction workers in Oregon.

For years, public employees in many states have been forced to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment, allowing unions to take their members for granted. However, because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Janus v. AFSCME, public employees can no longer be required to financially support a labor union against their will.

The court ruled that the mandatory dues requirement violated workers’ First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association, and that public employees have the right to choose for themselves whether to pay any union dues or fees.

You can opt out of LIUNA Local 737 dues by filling out the form above, printing it and mailing it to the union.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I send my resignation to LIUNA Local 737?

You should receive some acknowledgement of your request from the union within a few weeks.

In most cases, union dues are automatically deducted from employees’ paychecks. Monitor your paychecks to make sure the dues deductions stop. If the deductions continue for more than a couple pay periods after submitting your opt-out request, contact the union.

Finally, keep in mind:

Opting out is your constitutional right. However, unions like LIUNA Local 737 sometimes place restrictions on when they will accept opt-out requests. If the union refuses to immediately cancel dues deductions from your pay, ask them to provide you with written documentation and contact us for assistance.

How much are LIUNA Local 737 dues?

LIUNA Local 737 regular dues cost approximately $684 per year. In 2022, members paid an average of 1,894 in dues.

Will the union continue to represent me if I opt out?

Yes. LIUNA Local 737 has arranged to be the “exclusive representative” of its bargaining units, meaning it is impossible for workers to get out of the terms of the contract, even if they cease paying dues.

In exchange for the monopoly on this particular service, LIUNA Local 737 is legally obligated to represent all employees in the workplace, including those who choose not to join the union as members.

The collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the union and your employer will continue to set the terms and conditions of your employment and the union will continue to represent you in grievances, contract enforcement, discipline assistance or other proceedings governed by the collective bargaining agreement.

Will I lose wages, health care, retirement or other benefits if I opt out?

No. Under state law, a union contract is binding on all employees in a bargaining unit, regardless of whether they are technically union “members.” Your compensation, health benefits, retirement, and anything else governed by the collective bargaining agreement will remain unchanged if you opt out of LIUNA Local 737.

How will my relationship with the union change if I opt out?

While the terms of the contract will still govern your employment, union officials commonly prohibit nonmembers from participating in internal union affairs, such as attending union meetings, voting for union officers or participating in contract ratification votes. You’ll also be ineligible for any special “members only” benefits, such as discounts on additional insurance, scholarship programs, or deals the union has arranged with businesses. You may no longer receive the union newsletter or similar publications.

Why do people opt out of the union?

People have many reasons for not wanting to support the union. Some simply do not believe the services the union provides are worth the dues it charges. Others may find the union’s one-size-fits-all agenda does not serve them well because they are new to the profession, have a specialty that is not acknowledged in bargaining, or they believe their effectiveness is undercompensated. Some resent the union’s role in enabling and defending underperforming employees. Many find the union’s political activity and use of dues to advance partisan causes, candidates and ideology distasteful. Still others believe that union officials are corrupt and unaccountable to their membership.

Unions representing public employees are not governed by the usual consumer protection or anti-trust laws, so abuses are common. Unions can charge whatever they wish. They can spend dues money on anything they want. Often, they do not have to disclose how dues money is spent to members. They can speak for employees without consulting or informing them. They can injure some members’ interests while advancing the interests of others. Unions even have the ability to prevent employees from getting help in their workplace from other sources. They are not governed by any obligation to provide quality service, and almost never have to seek approval of the people they represent in an election to continue as the exclusive representative.

How does LIUNA Local 737 spend my dues money?

LIUNA Local 737 is a private organization with minimal obligations to disclose financial information to members. Below is just some of the information derived from federal filings done by the union.

LiUNA 737

LiUNA 737 collected $5.4 million from its members in 2022, according to reports the union must file with the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

In 2022 alone:

$892,617 went to affiliated organizations like Laborers’ International to support their massive political, economic and social agendas. Laborers’ International regularly supports a host of controversial organizations.
$395,112 was spent on political activity and lobbying.
$60,930 was paid or contributed to a variety of organizations, many of which are ideologically driven.
$7,943 was spent on attorneys and private consultants.
$29,114 was spent on hotels, airlines, and other travel expenses.
$8,579 was spent on food and catering.

LiUNA 737 paid 25 officers and employees in 2022, fourteen of whom were paid six-figures. Secretary Treasurer Zack Culver received $171,559. The union currently holds a cash stockpile of $1.7 million in cash assets.

LiUNA 737’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019.

Local 737 also paid $65,926 to Oregon & Southern Idaho District Council of Laborers

Oregon & Southern Idaho District Council

The District Council collected $1.6 million from its local affiliate unions in 2022.

In 2022 alone:

$327,159 was spent on political activity and lobbying.
$36,994 was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations.
$25,688 was spent on private attorneys.
$10,326 was spent on hotel expenses for union staff.
$9,662 was spent on food and catering.

The District Council paid 14 employees in 2022, three of whom were paid six figures. Secretary-treasurer and business manager Jeff Gritz was paid $177,594. The District Council currently $1.5 million in cash reserves.

The Oregon & Southern Idaho District Council’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.

LIUNA Headquarters

The LIUNA headquarters collected $95.4 million from local affiliated unions in 2022.

$12.5 million was spent on divisive political candidates, causes and lobbying.
$2.7 million was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations.
$1.8 million was spent on airfare, hotels and travel, including over $1 million at the Hilton in San Diego.
$2.5 million was spent on private attorneys and consultants.

The LIUNA headquarters paid 238 employees in 2022, 131 of whom were paid six figures. LIUNA general president Terence O’Sullivan was paid $848,072.

LIUNA Headquarters’ most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.

Union officials are also required to file reports with the Dept. of Labor disclosing potential conflicts of interest related to LIUNA’s business dealings:

General president Terence O’Sullivan has regularly filed LM-30 reports disclosing that he serves on the board of directors of Ullico, Inc., a company that provides insurance, financial services, and administrative products to LIUNA. In 2022, he received compensation from Ullico amounting to $78,835.
Vice president Jon Davis has regularly filed LM-30 reportsdisclosing that he serves on the board of directors of BayCom Corp., which provides commercial banking services to LIUNA. In 2022, he received compensation from BayCom amounting to $17,000.