United Auto Workers, UAW, logoUAW studies dues increase
The United Auto Workers union is looking at hiking membership dues by 25 percent, the first increase since 1967, a top UAW official and several union sources told Reuters.
UAW leaders are considering increasing dues to the equivalent of 2.5 hours per month, up from two hours per month for hourly workers in the automotive industry as well as governmental, nursing, academic and other fields represented by the union, several people familiar with the discussions said.
A veteran UAW-represented worker at either General Motors or Ford Motor making $28.12 per hour pays union dues of $56.25 per month. That would rise to $70.32 per month. A recently hired worker making $15.78 per hour could see a rise to $39.45 per month from the current $31.56, according to Reuters.
Mortgage rates rise this week
Average U.S. rates for fixed mortgages rose sharply this week, making home-buying slightly less affordable.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on the 30-year loan jumped to 4.46 percent from 4.29 percent last week. The average on the 15-year fixed loan increased to 3.47 percent from 3.30 percent.
Rates have risen a full percentage point since May after the Federal Reserve signaled it might slow its bond purchases by year's end. Rates peaked at 4.6 percent in August.