I am quite sure this topic has been covered before, however, with regard to my own situation, I'd love some advice...

My new hire class in 11/07 never got an ALPA presentation, and I've never belonged to a union before. This has been one hell of an eye-opener for me. So far, the ONLY thing I see them caring about is getting my money. I figured out on my own when to turn in my paperwork so they could start taking that $42/month out of my paycheck... well, they neglected to do so for the 1st and 2nd month... and I guess on top of that they want some stupid ass $120 merger fund or assessment as they call it. I have no clue.. no one ever told me about this... So, before I know it, I get a bill for around $200 that they want payment for... I was absolutely incredulous... so I called them, e-mailed them and told them that I am a 2nd year FO who made $18,939 last year... and you expect me to cough up $200 at once? Then they tell me, well, if you fill out an application to make payments of $25/month you can do that... I basically told them to stuff it, that I'm not applying to make payments on a debt that in my opinion, I did not incur, they forced on me... I told them I'd pay whatever I could when I could and sent them a check for $50 as a good faith gesture... what did I just get in the mail? A letter stating that if they don't get the rest of their money within 30 days, they are going to kick me out of the union... and I'm already in "bad standing"... this is a friggin joke... There was a time when I couldn't wait to be an airline pilot and be part of ALPA... I still love being an airline pilot, but I absolutely hate what I'm seeing from these people... I also told them that how can they expect someone who makes poverty wages to just come up with $200 because they say so?? I'd love to hear other stories and know other opinions, but this union is a joke if they're going to treat their members like this...

My question is, should I really care if they expel me? What could happen? I'm so ****ed at them right now I can't see straight... so any good, sound advice would be greatly appreciated.. thanks!