Guest Post - Kyndra White former AFSCME Local 328 member leader
I want to take a moment to explain why I have made the difficult decision to stop paying my union dues.
This is not a statement of union busting. I am, and always have been, a strong believer in unions and the power they hold to protect and uplift workers. My decision comes from my personal experiences and a deep disappointment in the current state of our local leadership.
As a former Executive Board member, Lead Steward, ICC Committee member, and Membership Chair, I have dedicated a significant amount of time and energy to this union. I have seen firsthand both the potential of what we can be—and the reality of what we currently are. Unfortunately, that reality includes broken trust, inconsistency, and a leadership culture that I can no longer support. There are several key experiences that led me to this decision:
First, false statements were made about me by leadership—claims that I accused someone of wrongdoing that I did not make. After filing a complaint, it was determined that this behavior was inappropriate. Despite that finding, the damage to my reputation and trust was already done.
Second, after being told that a position would be held for me during a time when I was navigating that broken trust, I later returned only to be told that someone else was being considered. This was followed by communication that felt manipulative and aimed at controlling the narrative rather than taking accountability.
Third, I have witnessed and experienced concerning behavior within leadership, including intimidation and dismissive treatment of stewards. In one instance, I was asked to communicate on behalf of the Chief Steward, only to later see that behavior doubled down on in a way that included negative remarks about the very members we are supposed to support. I have also filed complaints regarding intimidation by another steward, but based on prior experiences, I have little confidence that these concerns will be addressed in a meaningful or fair way.
Beyond my personal experiences, I have observed broader systemic issues:
A clear double standard in how leadership is allowed to behave versus how members are expected to conduct themselves
Messaging that contradicts itself—encouraging membership engagement while simultaneously dismissing barriers that prevent members from participating
Discussions about limiting meeting access in ways that would exclude a significant number of remote members
Efforts to control information through measures that conflict with the spirit of the member bill of rights
I have also grown increasingly concerned about how union resources, including lost time, are being used and whether that use is aligned with the best interests of the membership. Perhaps most importantly, I no longer feel safe or supported speaking up. There is a culture where disagreement feels like a risk, and where members may fear retaliation for voicing concerns. That is not what a union should be. I want to be very clear: I did not step back because the work was “too much.” I stepped back because my trust in leadership was broken, because false narratives about me were spread, and because I could not continue to operate in an environment that felt harmful and silencing. This decision to stop paying dues is not one I made lightly. If I believed there was a meaningful path forward for change under the current leadership, I would have stayed and continued to fight from within. At this time, I do not see that path. This is my way of taking a stand. Remote workers deserve equal representation. Our members deserve transparency and accountability. And I deserve to be treated with honesty and respect. I truly hope to see this union return to the values it was built on. Until then, I encourage everyone to take care of themselves, support one another, and continue advocating for the workplace we all deserve.