I'm not American either, and I have no idea how much I pay my union. They've made sure I had several increases in salary in addition for the yearly rise, and I get several insurances for a better price than if I were to buy them for my self.

Last year the collective raise wasn't that high, but they made sure my colleagues with lower salary than me got it instead, and I expect the same thing will happen this year.

I'm totally fine with that because that is what I voted for to happen. My salary is good enough for now, and I want to make sure others are taken care of.