10 Best Union Membership Cancellation Letter Samples (Free)

1) Simple Union Membership Cancellation Letter

Dear [Union Representative Name],
I am resigning my membership in [Union Name] effective immediately. Please update your records to reflect that I am no longer a member.
Kindly confirm in writing that my resignation has been processed.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Job Title / Department]
[Employer Name]
[Address]
[Email] [Phone]

2) Resignation with Request to Stop Payroll Deductions

Dear [Union Representative Name],
Effective immediately, I resign my membership in [Union Name]. I also revoke any authorization that permits deduction of union dues or fees from my wages.
Please notify [Employer Payroll/HR Contact] to cease deductions at the earliest possible date and send me written confirmation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Employee ID]
[Employer Name]
[Contact Details]

3) Public Sector Resignation After Janus

Dear [Union Representative Name],
Effective immediately, I resign from [Union Name]. I understand that as a nonmember I cannot be required to pay union fees.
Please confirm in writing that my resignation is recorded and that no dues or fees will be deducted going forward.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Agency / Division]
[Contact Details]

4) Private Sector Resignation with Beck Objection

Dear [Union Representative Name],
I resign my membership in [Union Name], effective immediately. In the alternative, and to the extent any fees could be alleged, I object to paying for activities beyond collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance adjustment.
Please provide your independent audit and reduction calculation and confirm in writing.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Employer Name]
[Contact Details]

5) Right-to-Work State Resignation

Dear [Union Representative Name],
I resign my membership in [Union Name], effective immediately. As I work in a right-to-work state, I will not be paying union membership dues or fees.
Please confirm my resignation in writing and update your records.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Employer Name]
[Contact Details]

6) Resignation Plus Dues-Checkoff Revocation Window

Dear [Union Representative Name],
This letter resigns my membership in [Union Name] effective immediately. I also revoke my dues-deduction authorization at the next available revocation period and upon contract expiration.
Please acknowledge in writing the effective dates you will apply and confirm that deductions will cease at the earliest allowable time.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Employer Name]
[Contact Details]

7) Resignation With Return of Union Property

Dear [Union Representative Name],
I resign my membership in [Union Name], effective immediately. I will return any union property in my possession, including cards, badges, or materials.
Please confirm in writing that my resignation is recorded and advise where to return property.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Employer Name]
[Contact Details]

8) Resignation and Cease Contact Request

Dear [Union Representative Name],
Effective immediately, I resign my membership in [Union Name]. Please remove me from union communications, meetings, solicitations, and email lists.
Send written confirmation of my resignation and removal from all distribution lists.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Employer Name]
[Contact Details]

9) Resignation During Leave or Remote Assignment

Dear [Union Representative Name],
I resign my membership in [Union Name], effective immediately. I am currently on [leave/remote assignment], so please send written confirmation to the address and email below.
Also confirm that any dues or fees will not be deducted during or after my leave.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Employer Name]
[Address]
[Email] [Phone]

10) Resignation With Employer Payroll Copy

To: [Union Representative Name]
Cc: [Employer HR/Payroll Contact]
Subject: Union Resignation and Dues Authorization Revocation
I resign my membership in [Union Name], effective immediately. I also revoke authorization for deduction of union dues or fees from my wages.
Union: please confirm processing in writing. Employer: please cease deductions at the earliest legally permitted date and confirm the effective payroll period.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Employee ID]
[Contact Details]

Key FAQs

Can a union restrict when I resign?
Generally, employees can resign membership at any time. However, dues-checkoff authorizations are contracts that may specify a limited revocation window, and many employees can revoke either once per year and at contract expiration. Check your authorization form and the collective bargaining agreement. ArentFox Schiff

What changed for public sector workers?
In Janus v. AFSCME, the U.S. Supreme Court held that nonmembers in the public sector cannot be required to pay agency fees. If you resign, your government employer may not deduct such fees. Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2

What are Beck rights for private sector workers?
Under Communications Workers v. Beck, unions may collect from nonmembers only the amount necessary for collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance adjustment, not political or other non-chargeable expenses. Nonmembers can object and seek audited reductions. Justia Law+1

Do right-to-work laws matter?
Yes. In right-to-work states, employees cannot be required to join or pay dues to a union as a condition of employment. Requirements and coverage vary by state, so verify your state’s law. nrtw.org

Can a union tie resignation to dues authorization?
No. NLRB guidance and advice memoranda have found it unlawful to condition the timing of resignation on dues-checkoff terms. The two are distinct. laborandcollectivebargaining.com

Do deductions continue after a contract expires?
The NLRB has held that voluntarily authorized dues checkoff can continue after contract expiration unless properly revoked under lawful terms. Employees may still revoke during permissible windows or at expiration. Ogletree

How should I send my letter?
Use certified mail with return receipt, or email plus postal mail, and keep copies. That helps establish a clear paper trail for both union and employer payroll. nrtw.org

Tips for Using These Samples

• Replace placeholders and include employee ID and payroll contact when possible.

• Send to both the union and employer payroll to ensure deductions stop promptly.

• Save the certified mail receipt and any read receipts for your records. nrtw.org

Sources

• Janus v. AFSCME, 585 U.S. 878 (2018) summaries and reporting. Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2

• Communications Workers of America v. Beck, 487 U.S. 735 (1988) summaries. Justia Law+1

• Guidance on resigning membership, certified mail, and revoking checkoff. nrtw.org+1

• Right-to-work state references. nrtw.org

• NLRB and practice updates on resignation and continuing checkoff. Ogletree+1

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Final Thoughts

Your letter only works if it is unequivocal, documented, and delivered to the right parties. Choose the template that matches your situation, send it to the union and payroll, and calendar any revocation windows so deductions end on time. When in doubt, consult a local attorney or labor-law clinic for state-specific guidance.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information and sample letters for educational purposes. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a qualified attorney for advice on your specific situation.