Unite Here Local 1 members will face higher dues starting in 2025 after union leadership passed a resolution on November 13 to raise dues by $30 a month by 2026.
The dues hike will add $20 per month for members starting in 2025, with an additional $10 per month in 2026. The latter will be earmarked for the strike fund.
A poster distributed at O’Hare International Airport by union officials stated the goal of raising dues is to “grow the union” and “beat the boss.”
However, some members have voiced frustration over the hike in dues with reports of leadership pay increases at Unite Local.
The increase, aimed at funding union growth and strengthening labor actions, has raised concerns among members about the allocation of the funds.
In April, the Anaheim Observer reported that Local 11 in California approved pay raises for its leaders, alongside a similar dues increase.
“I definitely did NOT vote for yes!!!!! And I strongly disagree with it,” Melissa Campbell, a housekeeping attendant at Marriott Marquis Chicago, posted on Facebook.
The dues increase will primarily fund the union’s general operations, including staff salaries, office rent, and legal fees. Then in 2026, the extra $10 in dues will go to the strike fund.
A breakdown of the dues allocation shows that 73% of member contributions cover union staff wages, office expenses for locations in downtown Chicago, O’Hare, and Indiana, and a building fund. Another 25% goes to the international parent union, while just 2% is designated for the strike fund.
Critics argue the focus on administrative costs over member support is concerning, given the small share allocated to the strike fund. Some members question whether their dues are being spent effectively to protect their interests during labor actions.
Flying Food Group (FFG), a major airline catering company represented by Unite Here, is renegotiating its contract with the union. FFG told Sky Industry News that some employees have expressed frustration with the union and voiced complaints to HR.
Unite Here Local 1 represents over 15,000 hospitality workers in Chicago and Northwest Indiana, including employees from hotels, airports, restaurants, schools, stadiums, and casinos. It is part of the larger UNITE HERE network, which has approximately 300,000 members across the U.S. and Canada.
