Teamsters Local 631

To opt out of Teamsters Local 631 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.

Teamsters Local 631 is the designated union for approximately 7,000 workers employed in the transportation, construction, manufacturing and other miscellaneous industries in Nevada.

Those who find themselves in a union-represented workplace should know that Nevada law has long protected private-sector employees from being forced to financially support a union against their will. Specifically, state law guarantees that “[n]o person shall be denied the opportunity to obtain or retain employment because of nonmembership in a labor organization” and that corporations and unions may not “enter into any agreement, written or oral, which excludes any person from employment or continuation of employment because of nonmembership in a labor organization.”

As a result of these protections, workers in Nevada have a legal right to choose for themselves whether to pay union dues or fees.

You can opt out of Teamsters Local 631 dues by filling out the form above, printing it and mailing it to the union.

*Note: If you have any additional questions about your legal rights when it comes to union membership and dues payments, please contact the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I send my resignation to the union?

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

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

Finally, keep in mind:

Opting out is your legal right. However, unions like Teamsters Local 631 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 the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation for assistance.

How much are Teamsters Local 631dues?

According to federal filings, Teamsters Local 631 dues can be as high as $332 per month, or $3,984 per year.

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

Yes. Teamsters Local 631 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, Teamsters Local 631 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. All provisions of the collective bargaining agreement between the union and your employer will continue to govern your employment. Your wages, health benefits, employer-sponsored retirement and anything else governed by the collective bargaining agreement will remain unchanged if you opt out of Teamsters Local 631.

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 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. 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 the union spend my dues money?

Teamsters Local 631

Teamsters Local 631 collected $6 million in dues and fees from its members in 2023, according to reports the union must file with the U.S. Department of Labor.

In 2023 alone:

$1.7 million was sent out-of-state to the Teamsters’ international headquarters in Washington, D.C.
$161,575 was spent on political activities, lobbying, and contributions given to other ideological groups.
$179,500 was paid to outside attorneys and consultants.
$109,356 was spent on hotels, travel and food.

Teamsters Local 631 paid 22 officers and employees in 2023, thirteen of whom were paid six figures. Teamsters Local 631’s secretary-treasurer Tommy Blitsch received $160,247 in total compensation.

Additionally, Teamsters Local 631 has accumulated a cash stockpile of $6.5 million.

Teamsters Local 631’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.

Additionally, a portion of your local dues typically fund several related organizations, such as state and national affiliates. Teamsters Local 631 is an affiliate of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which is required to file annual financial reports with the U.S. Department of Labor. The most recent report filed by the Teamsters’ international headquarters is available here.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

According to federal filings that the union must submit with the Department of Labor, IBT headquarters collected $193 million from local affiliated unions in 2022.

In 2022 alone:

$9 million was spent by IBT on divisive political candidates, causes and lobbying.
$1.9 million was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations.
$6 million was spent on airfare, hotels and travel for union staff. This figure includes a $155,000 expense at the MGM Resort in Los Angeles.
$3.1 million was spent on private attorneys and consultants.

IBT paid 766 employees in 2022, 189 of whom were paid six figures. Teamsters general president Sean O’Brien was paid $350,145.

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