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Why Union – Your Questions Answered
What does the Union do? 
When workers choose to unionize, they win the right to negotiate a contract with their employer. Generally, contract negotiations include issues relating to pay, benefits and working conditions. Once the contract has been put into effect, it is up to the union to see to it that the contract is administered properly and enforced in the members' behalf. Future contracts are negotiated with the goal of improving upon previous agreements. Over time, workers win significant improvements in wages, benefits and working conditions.
How do we go about getting a Union in our workplace?
The first step is to form a committee among the workers. It is good to have representatives from each department. The committee's job is to attend meetings and educate themselves about the union. Then they can educate their co-workers and help to dispel false information spread by management. Next, the majority of employees must sign cards (or a petition) stating that they want to have a union. After a majority of workers have signed up, we can ask the employer to recognize the union or file a petition for an election. If we file for an election, then you will have a chance to vote for the union in a secret ballot election. When a majority of workers vote to join the union, workers and the union representatives can begin negotiating a collective bargaining agreement (Union Contract).
Can I be fired for participating in the campaign?
Federal law prohibits the employer from discriminating against people in any way because of their union activity. If an employer does harass or discriminate against a union supporter, the Union files a charge with the government Labor Board and prosecutes the employer to the fullest extent. The best safeguard against the employer harassing anyone is for everybody to stick together and vote to have union representation. Without a union, management has a free hand to treat people as they please. With a Union, everyone has the protection of a collective bargaining agreement, which is your union contract.
 What does signing this card mean?
It means you want the Union. Please do not sign just to get an election. We consider the card as a commitment of support.
Who runs the Union?
The Union is a democratic organization run by the members. You and other local union members will elect officers. You vote on all issues of importance to you. You vote on your contract. Union members elect delegates to national conventions, where delegates elect officers and vote on major issues affecting the International Union, such as constitutional amendments. The Union is the membership.
Management says the Union is just after our dues money. Why should we pay money to the Union?
No worker will pay any dues until after a contract has been negotiated by your committee and voted on (ratified) by a majority of workers. It doesn't cost, it pays, to be a union member. The dues are divided between the Local Union and the International Union. The money is used to provide expert services to the Local Union membership, including negotiators, lawyers, economists and educators; to pay the salaries of officers and staff, including organizers; and to provide newsletters and conferences. The Local Union's money is used for reimbursing stewards for lost time, for union offices and for other expenses of the union such as the printing of union contracts.
What can the Union do about favoritism?
Fairness is the most important part of the Union contract - the same rules apply to everyone. If any worker feels that he or she is not being treated fairly, then he or she still has the opportunity to complain to the supervisor, just like before. But under a Union contract, the supervisor or manager, no longer has the final say. They are no longer judge and jury. If the worker is not satisfied with the response of the supervisor, the worker can file a grievance. The first step of a grievance is for the Steward to accompany the worker in a meeting with the supervisor. If the worker is not satisfied, the Union can bring the grievance to higher management. If the complaint is not resolved, then it can be placed before an outside neutral judge, called an arbitrator. Local 1625 has earned a track record of arbitration wins over the years allowing us to avoid long delays in grievance resolutions.
The employer is implying the company could close if the Union came in.
Companies do not go out of business because they have a union or because the workers are treated fairly. Companies close because of market conditions or poor management. This is a scare tactic that employers use to keep people from gaining a voice on the job. More non-union companies close each year than unionized companies. Government studies have shown that a unionized firm is no more likely to close than any other company. With a union contract, fair wages and working conditions and a voice on the job, workers are more productive and the company will probably do better, not worse.
The employer is spreading the rumor that we could lose the benefits we now have. Is that true? 
The purpose of forming a union is to win improvements in wages and benefits, not to lose them. We start with what we have and go up. On average, unionized workers earn a third more than non-union workers in wages and benefits. The employees vote on whether or not to accept a contract. Would you vote to accept a contract that took away your benefits? Think about it. If having a union meant that the employer could reduce your benefits, why would the employer be fighting the union so hard? Further, it is against the law for the employer to retaliate against the union by taking away wages or benefits.
Management says there will be a strike if we organize. Is this true?
Management talks a lot about strikes during an organizing drive. But did you know that over 98% of union contracts are settled without a strike? There could only be a strike if the employees vote by a two-thirds majority for a strike. Unions have developed a lot of other tactics that can put pressure on management to reach a fair agreement. For example, unions use boycotts or corporate campaigns or community support, rather than necessarily having to resort to striking.
The employer says the union can't guarantee us anything. Can you?
The Union can guarantee this: that when workers stick together as a union they have more bargaining power and more of a voice than they do as individuals. When the Union wins, you will negotiate a contract with your employer. We can guarantee to do our best, that the contract will be legally binding, we will make sure the contract is enforced and that the employees covered by the contract vote on it. We make no promises on what the contract will contain - that is for you to decide when you vote on your contract.
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