Membership Management: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

SIGN UP TODAY! 

For over 30 years, anti-union legislators in Florida have been threatening to pass laws that attempt to strip unions of power. But, this year, a new law has been passed that takes away members’ choice to have our dues deducted from our paychecks. It would also require that unions maintain their membership at 60% or face decertification.

We’re prepared and fighting back. To protect our contract, our union, and our ability to keep fighting for higher wages and other benefits, public employee members should sign up on the SEIU FPSU Member Portal, an online system where we pay our dues and sign our membership cards.

The new system is secure and simple. All you need is a credit card. Dues will be pulled from your account once a month on your choice of either the 1st or 15th day of the month.

Need help signing up? Watch this video!

Below are some frequently asked questions about the new system:

Q: How do I join?

Visit fpsu.unioni.se/signup to complete your membership form online. It only takes a few minutes.

Q: When does my membership begin?

Your membership begins once we receive your completed form and dues payment has started. You’ll receive a welcome email or letter confirming activation.

Q: What makes me a member in good standing?

You have signed a valid membership card (authorization form) and you are actively paying dues.

Q: What are the benefits of membership?

Members get access to: representation and support; voting rights on contracts and leadership; trainings and leadership development; member-only discounts and benefits programs.

Q: Can I cancel my membership?

Yes. Please submit a cancellation notice to payment@seiufpsu.org. Be aware that cancellation may affect your eligibility for representation and member benefits.

Q: The system won’t let me sign up — what should I do?

If the system doesn’t allow you to sign up, it’s possible you’re already in the system or your information needs to be updated. We recommend you contact your union representative or the union office right away so we can locate your file and help you update your membership card.

Q: If I already pay dues through my employer, why do I need to pay dues through this new system?

For most SEIU-FPSU members, as of July 1, 2023, your employer is no longer deducting your dues from your paycheck. That means that regardless if you’re a long-term dues-paying union member or a new member, you will use SEIU FPSU Member Portal to commit to your union and sign up to pay dues.

Q: Why do I need to switch to the new portal?

Without our union, we have far less power to fight back when bad bosses unjustly discipline, suspend or terminate a worker. If we lose our union, we lose our contract that ensures we have a voice in important benefits like a retirement plan and standards for safe workplace conditions.

Q: But, will I be charged twice? Once by my employer and once on my credit card, once I sign up?

Deduction of dues from your personal account will not start until after your employer stops deducting dues from your paycheck. If you notice dues being deducted from your credit card before your paycheck deduction stops, please contact Angelina at (561) 965-0077.

Q: What about overdraft fees?

Using a credit card means you shouldn’t have to worry about overdraft fees.

If you do not have sufficient funds or your payment fails for other reasons, you will receive an email and/or SMS text prompting you to update your info.

Q: Is using the SEIU FPSU Member Portal safe?

YES! SEIU-FPSU staff do not collect or store your credit card information in our databases, therefore we cannot share or lose your account data. Using a third-party system, currently Stripe or Square, communication is facilitated between your credit card company and your union’s bank account to complete a credit card payment. It’s just like paying a restaurant with a credit card, but even safer!

Q: Will I be paying the same amount?

Members of SEIU-FPSU recently voted to move to a flat dues structure. Full-time members will now pay $35 per month in dues. Part-time/adjunct will pay $17 per month. AESOP members will pay $25 per month in the first year.

Full-time employee (FTE) Any employee who works an average of at least 30 hours per week for more than 120 days in a year. Part-time employees work an average of less than 30 hours per week.” (from https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/full-time-employee.)

Q: Do I have to sign up twice if I have two employers and both are SEIU-FPSU union jobs?

By signing up through the new system, your membership is valid at all places where you are employed and where SEIU-FPSU has a current contract. You will only need to sign up once.

Q: What will the charges appear as on my credit card statement?

Dues payment will appear on your bank/credit card statement as either:

Square: *SQ* SEIU Florida Public Services Union OR

Stripe: ACH SEIUFPSU Union D

Q: Can I access my membership profile online to make updates?

At this time, there’s no member-facing portal to update your profile directly. If you need to update your contact information (like phone, email, or address), please contact Payment@seiufpsu.org, and we can make those changes for you. If you need to update your membership card, we’ll send you a secure link to do so.

Q: How do I change which credit or debit card I am paying with?

If your credit or debit card fails to process, you will receive an email that your payment was unable to go through, and you will be prompted to update your card info.

If you would like to change the card you are using to pay union dues, you will need to email payment@seiufpsu.org. We respond to most emails within 2 business days.

Q: How do I update my email?

If you would like to change the email associated with the SEIU FPSU member portal, please contact the FPSU office at (561) 965-0077. We recommend choosing an email address you will always have access to, that is not shared with another person, and is not work-owned.

Q: How do I update my personal information (address, phone, email)?

Contact us by emailing Payment@seiufpsu.org or calling (561) 965-0077.

Q: What happens if I transfer jobs or leave my position?

Let us know if your job changes. If you’re still within an eligible position or bargaining unit, we can update your info. If you leave entirely, your membership may end, but you can still stay connected through the Retiree Program or as an Associate Member.

Q: Can I get a refund for my union dues?

FPSU does not have a formal refund policy for membership dues. Once dues are deducted or paid, they are typically non-refundable, including in the following situations: you cancel your membership after a deduction has already been processed; you were unaware dues were being deducted; or you believe you were not receiving services during a certain time.

Q: I have more questions. Who can I talk to?

For questions about representation, contact your Regional Lead. For questions about membership or dues, contact Payment@seiufpsu.org.