Application for CSEA Membership

Signing a union card signifies your formal agreement to become a member of a union, adhere to its established rules, and authorize the organization to represent you in negotiations with your employer. This commitment also includes the responsibility to contribute through union membership dues.

In exchange, you gain critical privileges such as voting rights in both in-person and online union elections, along with access to a wide range of benefits provided by the union. Many unions offer programs that include academic development, healthcare and retirement plans, legal assistance, and various other forms of support that members can utilize upon joining.

Unions play a pivotal role in negotiating with employers on behalf of their members, as well as others within the profession, to secure improved wages, enhanced benefits, and better working conditions. This process, commonly referred to as "collective bargaining," serves as a fundamental mechanism for addressing and meeting the needs of the workforce.

Unions are obligated to serve their members with diligence and fairness. As a member, it is equally important to understand your rights within the organization, particularly regarding the union’s duty of representation. This principle ensures that you are afforded nondiscriminatory representation conducted in good faith—a cornerstone of the union’s ability to effectively advocate on behalf of its members.