No, this doesn't add up at all. Dues are paid by payroll deduction. You don't pay an initiation fee to join. The only case I've known of someone paying their dues by check is when they want to run for office and they've been off work and they want to be a qualified member in good standing in that period. I've given money to the PAC and it's all been up front and I knew where it was going. Looks like someone is just trying to make the Union look bad.