Article VIII: Association Security


Section 1 – Payroll Deduction of Membership Dues

Any unit member who is a member of the Association, or who has applied for membership, may sign and deliver to the District on the Payroll Deduction form supplied by the District an assignment authorizing deduction of membership dues, initiation fees, and general assessments in the Association. The District shall not be obligated to put into effect any new, changed, or discontinued deduction until the pay period that commences thirty (30) days or more after submission to the District's Payroll Office.

Section 2 – Fair Share

Any unit member who is not a member of the Association, or who does not make application for membership within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Agreement or within thirty (30) days from the date of commencement of assigned duties within the bargaining unit, shall become a member of the Association or pay to the Association a service fee. The service fee shall be established by the Association. The service fee shall be payable to the Association in a one-lump cash payment in the same manner as required for the payment of membership dues, provided, however, that the unit member may authorize payroll deduction for such fee in the same manner as provided in Section 1 of this Article. In the event that a unit member shall not pay such fee directly to the Association, or authorize payment through payroll deduction as provided in Section 1, the Association shall so inform the District, and the District shall immediately begin automatic payroll deduction as provided in Education Code Section 45061 and in the same manner as set forth in Section 1 of this Article. There shall be no charge to the Association for such mandatory service-fee deductions.

Section 3 – Alternative Payment

In the event a unit member cannot, for reasons of religious objection as provided for in Government Code Section 3546.3, pay the service fee to the Association, he/she shall not be required to join, maintain membership in, or financially support the Association as a condition of employment, except that such unit member shall be required, in lieu of the service fee, to pay a sum equal to such service fee to either the Arrowhead United Way, Child Welfare Fund, or the Foundation to Assist California Teachers. Such payment shall be made within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Agreement, or within thirty (30) days from the date of commencement of assigned duties within the bargaining unit. Proof of payment shall be made on an annual basis to the Association and District as a condition of continued exemption from the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 above. Proof of payment shall be in the form of receipts and/or canceled checks indicating the amount paid, date of payment, and to whom payment, in lieu of the service fee, has been made. Such proof shall be presented on or before October 1 of each school year.

Section 4 – Remitting Dues and Service Fees

With respect to all sums deducted by the District pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 above, whether for membership dues or service fees, the District agrees to promptly remit such monies to the Association accompanied by an alphabetical list of unit members for whom such deductions have been made.

Section 5 – Information

The Association shall furnish any information needed by the District to fulfill the provisions of this Article.

Section 6 – Indemnification

The Association shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the District, the District's Board of Education, including each individual School Board member, and employees acting within the scope of their employment, agents and representatives of the District against any and all claims, demands, suits or other forms of liability, including, but not limited to, wages, damages, judgments, fees, fines, court costs, attorney fees, and any back pay, penalties, or awards resulting from any court, arbitrator, or PERB order, judgment, or settlement that may arise by reason of, or resulting from the operation of Article VIII of this Agreement. The Association shall bear all costs of defending against any and all such claims, demands, suits, or other forms of liability, including, but not limited to, court costs, attorney fees, and all other costs of litigation. Upon commencement of such legal action, the Association shall have the exclusive right to decide and determine whether any claim, liability, suit, or judgment made or brought against the District or Association because of such action shall or shall not be compromised, resisted, defended, tried, or appealed. The Association's decision thereon shall be final and binding upon all Parties protected by this Section 6. This paragraph shall not be construed as a waiver on the part of the District, Board of Education, or any individual protected by this Section of any claim against the Association for failing to act in good faith in settling a claim or any failure to competently defend and hold them harmless. Within ten (10) days of proper service of a claim, demand, suit, or other legal action against any protected Party, the District shall inform the Association and provide the Association with copies of any documents received as a result of the legal action. Upon request, the District shall provide the Association's legal counsel with documents and information reasonably related to providing a defense.