Pretty much what Flex said (my quote function is not functioning). Texas is a right to work state but I cannot opt out of the union. I also still have to pay dues. What I can do is defer those dues to a charity instead of the union but then I would not get to vote nor would I get other perks. I believe I would still be covered by the union in that they would have to assist me if I were to need a union rep but I'm not sure.
We just merged with another airline and our union changed. Many of our flight attendants thought they would just not pay their dues in protest. They just received certified letters that they would be terminated if their dues were not paid by x number of days. I go back and forth as to whether I want union representation. I believe they were necessary at one point but I have a hard time seeing what they are doing for me now. Our company breaks the contract on a daily basis and tells us to grieve it. Our unions response usually gets us about 5 hours of pay....but doesn't stop the company from breaking the rules.
Yes, you are still covered by the collective bargaining agreement even though you opt out of the union. Which is the sucky part of being in a right to work state. What RTW (for less) does is allows people to get a free ride with the reps who negotiate the contracts or the union benefits that enjoy too. It's kind of like going to a health club and not having to pay membership dues, but yet you still get to use all of the equipment, etc. Eventually the health club will go out of business.
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny