Courts and labor boards have allowed unions to discipline and/or fine union members who did not participate in a strike in certain circumstances. The Fairness Center takes no position on whether you should or should not be a union member. But if you do not want to participate in a strike, you may want to resign your union membership as quickly as possible, before continuing to work, and keep a record of the date of your resignation.

You have the right not to be a union member as a public employee, which federal courts in Pennsylvania have recognized. The Fairness Center has helped many clients who were told they could not resign from a union (including because of a “maintenance of membership” provision in their contract) or who felt pressured to join (or to not leave) a union.

NOTE: If you have questions about this topic, or think you have a legal issue, consider contacting a lawyer. Fairness Center lawyers represent clients for free and can be reached here or at 844.293.1001. We strongly encourage you to pursue with haste any legal claim you believe you may have, as the mere passage of time may prevent you from exercising possible legal claims.