Should Union Members Choose How Their Dues Fund Political Activities?

Official title: Labour union dues and financial disclosure engagement

Closed Regulations & Permits Economy & Jobs Justice & Rights
Alberta gathered input on new rules requiring unions to share financial statements with members. The bigger change? Dues payers can now opt out of having their money go toward political activities, charities, or causes they don't support. Regulations have been finalized and are now in effect.

Why This Matters

Are you a union member in Alberta? This directly affects your paycheque. You now have the right to decide whether your dues fund political causes you may or may not agree with. You'll also get to see exactly how your union spends its money.

What Could Change

The changes are already in effect. Unions must now provide financial statements to members. Workers can elect not to have dues fund political activities, social causes, charities, or organizations supporting political parties. These rules apply under the Labour Relations Code and related public sector legislation.

Key Issues

  • How should unions disclose financial statements to their members?
  • How can dues payers opt out of funding political activities and social causes?
  • What processes should unions and employers implement for the new rules?

How to Participate

  1. This consultation is now closed. Discussion guides were sent directly to unions, labour associations, and unionized employers. Learn more about the final rules for union dues election and financial statements.

What Happened

Regulations under the Labour Relations Code and related legislation were developed based on stakeholder input. The related sections in the Restoring Balance in Alberta's Workplace Act have been proclaimed. Input was gathered from unions, labour associations, unionized employers, and employer associations through discussion guides.