Paying basic dues is a principal responsibility under Equity’s Bylaws. They help ensure that the Association remains strong to continue the essential work of providing membership services, negotiating and administering collective agreements, protecting the members, and advocating on your behalf. None of this could be possible without the invaluable financial support of member dues.
Dues
Basic Dues
The annual basic dues are $200, invoiced twice a year as $100 on May 1st and $100 on November 1st.
Your invoice will be available in your MyEquity account on May 1st and November 1st, every year. We’ll also email you a notice.
You have 3 months to pay your basic dues without any penalties.
Late Payment Penalty
After the 3-month deadline, a $15 penalty is applied, as per the Bylaws. Your member status will be changed to Arrears, and you will no longer be considered in Good Standing. That means you will not be able to work on an Equity contract or enjoy any of the other benefits of membership.
If you’re still in Arrears three months later – when the next dues invoice is issued – another $15 penalty will be applied. This will continue every three months until you clear your entire balance. You’ll also continue to be billed the basic dues.
Members who do not pay their basic dues for 8 consecutive dues billing periods will have their membership terminated.
How to Pay
Members can pay their Basic Dues via Online Banking, Credit Card, or Cheque.
Setting up a direct withdrawal via debit from your bank account is always an easy and efficient idea. It’s one less thing to think about and you won’t have to worry about updating your credit card information when it changes.
Paying via direct debit is also the most cost-effective method of payment for your Association.
Working Dues
Members also pay 2.25% working dues when working under an Equity contract, further supporting the negotiation and administering of Equity’s collective agreements and engagement policies. Engagers deduct working dues from a member’s weekly fee (along with other benefit payments as applicable) and remit this directly to Equity on behalf of the member.
Membership Statuses
Good Standing
Members in good standing hold the full rights & privileges of their membership type. For most members, that means benefiting from access to:
- Professional work opportunities on Equity contracts
- Medical and life insurance plans
- Voting rights
- Reciprocal agreements with other unions
- Discounts through the Member Advantage Program
- A voice in shaping the objectives of our member-driven Association
Not in Good Standing (Arrears)
Members who owe more than the basic dues for the current six-month dues billing period are in arrears and therefore not in good standing. That means they do not receive any of the rights & privileges that members in good standing benefit from.
Dues Remission
Members who have demonstrated longevity in the industry and a longstanding commitment to their Association as a dues paying member of Equity may qualify for Dues Remission, a status which means they no longer have to pay basic dues.
Temporary Withdrawal
If you won’t be working on an Equity contract for a minimum of one year and your membership is in Good Standing or Dues Payable, you can choose to temporarily freeze your membership by going on Temporary Withdrawal. The advantage is that you won’t be invoiced for basic dues while on Temporary Withdrawal. When you decide to reinstate your membership and return to Good Standing again, you’ll only need to pay any outstanding dues owed at the time of going on Temporary Withdrawal, a $25 administration fee, and the basic dues ($100) to cover the current dues period you’re reactivating your membership in.
While on Temporary Withdrawal, however, you will not be able to work on an Equity contract or enjoy any of the other rights of membership, including voting.
Inactive
Some memberships in Equity are temporary and dependent on having a contract in place. Once that contract has ended, the status of these members may change to inactive–meaning they are no longer entitled to the rights & privileges that members in good standing benefit from.
Resigned
A member in good standing can choose to resign from Equity if they no longer intend to work in the Association’s jurisdiction. A resigned member can apply for reinstatement at a later date and if accepted, they would be required to pay the full joining fee.
Terminated
A member who fails to pay dues for eight consecutive dues billing periods will have their membership terminated. A terminated member can apply to rejoin at a later date and if accepted, they would be required to pay the full joining fee.