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Know Your Rights!
1. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) on 1935 sections 7 guarantees the right to form Unions, engage in collective bargaining, and participate in concerted activities.
2. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) enforces these rights and handles unfair labor practice charges

Your Rights At Work

By joining together, Teamsters have more say in working conditions. We can negotiate with management to make jobs better and make sure we are all treated fairly.

Your Right to Fair Treatment

How do Unions make things better?
The Union Contract
1. Teamsters are covered by a union contract with the employer. Contracts cover such rights and benefits as...
Your contract is negotiated with management by your co-workers and Teamster leaders. Every member has the right to make suggestions about what should be in the contract and to vote on the final agreement.

To win a good contract, workers have to show management that they are united in support of their negotiating team. Sometimes workers have to get support from other unions, community groups, public officials, consumers, or other organizations to convince management to reach a reasonable agreement.

The rights and benefits in the contract are guaranteed. Management cannot legally change them without negotiations with the union.
1. Union Contracts Equate to:
  1. Higher Wages and Benefits
    1. Union workers earn higher wages and are more likely to have employer-provided health insurance and retirement plans.
  2. Collective Bargaining Power
    1. Workers negotiate as a group, giving them more power to improve schedules, benefits, and workplace environments.
  3. Reduce Disparities
    1. Unions eliminate wage gaps based on gender and race
  4. Improve Work-Life Balance
    1. Union contracts include paid sick leave, vacation time, and predictable schedules
  5. Grievance Procedure
    1. Step One - This involves an initial discussion between the accused employee, management, and a Union Steward (employee representative)
    2. Step Two - The employee, along with their Union Steward, will write out a formal grievance. This is a formal complaint against the company's accusations.

IF there is no resolution, the employee moves to

Step Three - Which involves investigation/hearings. These are reviews of evidence, including witness testimony and documentation.

IF there is no resolution

Step Four- Final Decision/Arbitration. This is a binding decision rendered by an impartial Arbitrator (third party). This step is only necessary if the issue isn’t resolved locally.

Frequently asked questions about Unions

Why is management against the union?
1. Loss of control and flexibility
2. Legally required to negotiate a legally binding contract with employees
3. Share power with employees
4. Unions demand benefits for their members
5. Union members have backing against companies
6. Protections against abuse from the company

What can the union guarantee?
1. The Teamsters will provide the highest quality negotiators, legal counsel, and researchers to obtain a strong contract.
2. A guarantee that works from the bargaining unit will be invited to participate in bargaining
3. A guarantee that all workers regardless of membership status will be treated with dignity and respect while benefiting from the contract gains.
4. A guarantee that once a tentative agreement is reached, all workers will be given a detailed explanation of the agreement, have an opportunity to ask questions, and only workers will be able to vote for or against the agreement.

How much are union dues? What are they for?
1. Union dues are 2.5 times the hourly rate, paid once a month.
2. Example: If you make $20/hr X 2.5, then you would pay $50 a month in Union Dues. These dues can be paid weekly ($12.50 per week) or bi-weekly ($25 every two weeks).
3. Dues are kept on a local level in order to fund Union Work, such as negotiating contracts, organizing new members, and representing employees in hearings and arbitration.

Will the Union make us strike?
1. Remember “You” as employees are the Union.
2. 98% of negotiations end in an agreement
3. “You” vote whether or not to strike, if it gets to that.

Can we lose benefits if we vote for the Union?
1. No, in fact, during negotiations there can be no changes made.
2. No negotiations will start for less than what you currently have
3. You will always build-up, not down.

Scare Tactics & Union-Busting
1. What to expect from the company

Captive Audience Meetings
- These are illegal meetings that spread anti-union propaganda

Union Busting

Common Phrases

“They will make you go on strike”
“We’re not anti-union but…”
“A union isn’t in your best interest”
“This will make it an ‘Us versus Them’”
“Dues are expensive”
“Unions will spend your dues on politics”
“A contract could take years to get”
“We’re family here and the union would get in the way of that”
“The company might not even sign”
“Unions make empty promises they can’t even fill”
“You won’t get merit raises”
“This could affect your retirement”
“There will be no raises during negotiations”
“We may have to close if you unionize”

Beware of Company TIPS

Your employer CANNOT:

T - Threaten

Threaten you in any way for exercising your federally protected rights to form or join a union.

I - Interrogate

Interrogate you about your union activities.

P - Promise

Promise you wage or benefit increases to persuade you from forming a union.

S - Spy

Spy on you for your federally protected union activities.