Check-off means financial blow


Public services union UNISON has warned that forthcoming changes to the law on how union members can pay their contributions will have “a huge impact” on the union’s finances. 


The measure, part of the Trade Union Act 2016 (TUA), affects the system of check-off (also known as DOCAS) — through which members have their union contributions deducted directly from their wages by employers. From 10 March this is only permitted in the public sector if the union pays the employer the cost of administering the system.  


UNISON says around 80% of its members pay their subs through this method and there are “thousands” of employers involved. While some employers already charge the union a fee, others do not, so the change will have a “huge impact on the union’s finances”.


Chris Tansley, chair of the union’s NEC development and organisation committee, said: “We will face these challenges in the way we always have as a trade union: organising, organising and organising.”


Next month also sees another part of the TUA come into force: the requirement that new members must expressly “opt in” to a political fund if they wish to contribute. This comes into effect on 1 March.