Why and How Unions Are Made : Why and How Unions Are Made Presented by:
Miggy
Gerard
Ryan
Definition of Labor Union : Definition of Labor Union A trade union or labor union is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in key areas such as wages, hours, and working conditions, forming a cartel of labor.
The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members (rank and file members) and negotiates labor contracts with employers.
Why workers unionize : Why workers unionize
Why workers unionize : Why workers unionize Employees view unions as a way to voice their demands and get what they want
Job dissatisfaction increases
Low wage rate
Less benefits
Poor job security
Poor environment
Why workers unionize : Why workers unionize Two conditions to consider to becoming a union:
1) employees have to be dissatisfied and believe that individually they are unable to influence a change in the conditions causing their dissatisfaction
2) a majority of employees have to believe collective bargaining would improve conditions more than changing jobs, and that its benefits would outweigh the costs
Rights Gained Under A Union Contract : Rights Gained Under A Union Contract Rights
Processes of employees becoming union members : Processes of employees becoming union members Nonunion employees may organize a union to bargain collectively for them
Employees in a unit covered by a collective bargaining agreement may decide to join the union
Newly hired employees may be required by the collective bargaining agreement where they work to join the union as a condition of continued employment
Steps in organizing a union : Steps in organizing a union
Steps in organizing a union : Steps in organizing a union Privately talk with co-workers
This small group starts to privately discuss workplace issues, and what is involved in organizing a union
Steps in organizing a union : Steps in organizing a union Build an organizing committee
Leaders are identified and an organizing committee representing all major departments and all shifts and reflecting the racial, ethnic and gender diversity in the workforce is established
Information to be gathered:
workplace structure: departments, work areas, jobs, shifts
employee information: name, address, phone, shift, job title, and department for each worker (employee list)
employer information: other locations, parent company, product(s), customers, union history
Steps in organizing a union : Steps in organizing a union Adopt an issues program
The committee develops a program of union demands (the improvements you are organizing to achieve) and a strategy for the union election campaign
Steps in organizing a union : Steps in organizing a union Sign-up majority on union cards
Your co-workers are asked to join and support the union program by signing membership cards
The goal is to sign-up a sizable majority
The signed cards are used (and required) to petition the state or federal labor board to hold an election
Steps in organizing a union : Steps in organizing a union Win the union election
It will take the labor board at least several weeks to determine who is eligible to vote and schedule the election
If the union wins, the employer must recognize and bargain with the union
Winning a union election not only requires a strong, diverse organizing committee and a solid issues program, but there must also be a plan to fight the employer’s anti-union campaign
Steps in organizing a union : Steps in organizing a union Negotiate a contract
The real goal of the campaign, a union contract (the document the union and the employer negotiate and sign, covering everything from wages to how disputes will be handled), is still to be achieved
Workers must be mobilized to support the union’s contract demands (decided by you and your co-workers) and pressure the employer to meet them
References : References Labor Relations, Fossum
http://www.ueunion.org/org_steps.html
http://www.ibew.org/eworkers/organize/index.htm