I know exactly where my dues are going, they're published in the newsletter. My Local president makes $242,000 a year and has had for the past 25 years, the last time he actually worked in the industry. His secretary, who doesn't answer the phone, makes $165k. My residuals go wholly into the AMPTP health fund, which I'm not allowed access to unless I work 400 union hours in a quarter (up from 300 for the past 40 years as of 2008). The theory is that California being a Union state, I should only be able to work Union jobs. Not only that, but Union jobs should be all there is. Lemme tell ya though - I work a show for a major network shot on their own lot and it's been non-union since its inception over a dozen years ago. Pretty much my union dues buy me an all-access pass to a 2nd-rate Lynda.com rip-off as "continuing ed." My personal take is that "union" professons are largely the ones that are going to die.