Can a paying union member be barred from a monthly union meeting?

Question

I've been thinking of attending a union meeting and have heard that some of my other paying union members are being

barred from this same meeting. I thought that if you paid dues

you were intitled to attend meetings. What's going on here?

Also, I'm unable to locate a phone number for my union. The full name is: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Answer 1

Additional information please.

Why are dues paying members being barred from attending a union meeting?

Answer 2

You can be denied participation within a union for behaviour that proves to be over disruptive either in meetings or in the workplace. For example if you continually go to meetings to just tell everyone in the union how stupid they are but never offer any suggestions for improvement or attempt to show some leadership on your own, I'd have no problem giving you the boot. Another example would conducting yourself in manner contrary to the efforts of the union (scabbing). Both are common problems and can result in being barred from union proceedings.

THAT SAID. If a union does bar you from participation, you should be able to call for some sort of redress in regards to your membership. (ie: leaving the membership, having dues suspended etc) You must remember though, in most jurisdictions you have rules such as what is called a "closed shop" meaning if you're not a member of the union, you don't get work there. If that is the case, revoking your membership in the union could also result in the loss of your job.

My point is there is more to this than meets the eye. You should find out why these "banned" members are in fact banned and if it's you and you're job could be on the line, consider getting legal advice. It is of course entirely possible that your union leadership is just so closed that they don't want to listen to their membership as well, but in that circumstance, you may also want to talk to a lawyer and to your governmental regulator about the problems you are having.

Just like the government of your nation, province or town, you should participate in your union.

Answer 3

The answer obviously depends of other facts, for example, whether the specific meeting is open to the general membership and, if it is, whether their is some kind of good cause for excluding specific people.

If you need information about your union, check with HR at your workplace.  They should have plenty of contact info for your union, including the name of the rep at your workplace.

Answer 4

need your local #.  If your dues are current (depends on bylaws) you are able to attend tour local monthly meeting.  But not necessarily your e-board meetings, but mine are open.

If a member disrupts a meeting, (s)he can be escorted out and reprimanded.

A lot depends on the facts of the matter.