Welcome to the IBEW Union Organizing Campaign Website! A campaign by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions by forming a union. |
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| **Having trouble viewing the video? Please read the text of the video below.** |
Why Form a Union?
If you’re asking yourselves “Why should we form a union at our workplace?” here are some facts that you
need to consider. When workers work together as a union they have much more negotiating power with
the employer than they do individually. Statistically, workers who work under a union collective
bargaining agreement make more than their non-union counterparts. In fact, according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, in 2009 union workers made an average of 27% more than their non-union counterparts.
What is a Collective Bargaining Agreement?
According to the National Labor Relations Act, once workers vote to become a union, the employer must
negotiate a contract, otherwise known as a collective bargaining agreement, in good faith with the union.
Once the collective bargaining agreement is signed and in place, the employer can’t make any changes
without first negotiating those changes with the union. An IBEW Collective Bargaining Agreement spells
out in writing such things as, wage rates, insurance, retirement benefits, holiday pay, vacation time, and
seniority. The contract also provides for such things as sick leave, jury duty, funeral leave, military
service leave, hours of work, overtime, safety regulations, and conditions of employment.
What is a Grievance Procedure?
Currently, you are an “at will” employee. This means your employer has the right to discipline or terminate
you for any reason, even a bad one, or for no reason at all. With a collective bargaining agreement, when
it comes to discipline, you have the right to a structured grievance procedure. This means management
must prove they have "just cause" according to the collective bargaining agreement for any disciplinary
action taken against a union employee.
Will a Union Change Communications with Management?
When employees of a company form a union, a much better system for communicating with management is
formed. Companies that have unions have a legal partnership between their employees and their
managers. A lot of managers say that they have an open-door policy, but in reality the communication is
only from the top, down. Many companies with IBEW contracts have formal labor-management committees
that meet regularly to find solutions to make the company and its employees stronger.
As you can see, by forming a union you and your co-workers can gain more rights on the job, better pay,
benefits and working conditions, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that all the terms of your
employment are secured by a collective bargaining agreement.
To find out more, check out the other site pages or submit your contact information by clicking the
"Contact Us" button and we will get in touch with you.
If you’re asking yourselves “Why should we form a union at our workplace?” here are some facts that you
need to consider. When workers work together as a union they have much more negotiating power with
the employer than they do individually. Statistically, workers who work under a union collective
bargaining agreement make more than their non-union counterparts. In fact, according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, in 2009 union workers made an average of 27% more than their non-union counterparts.
What is a Collective Bargaining Agreement?
According to the National Labor Relations Act, once workers vote to become a union, the employer must
negotiate a contract, otherwise known as a collective bargaining agreement, in good faith with the union.
Once the collective bargaining agreement is signed and in place, the employer can’t make any changes
without first negotiating those changes with the union. An IBEW Collective Bargaining Agreement spells
out in writing such things as, wage rates, insurance, retirement benefits, holiday pay, vacation time, and
seniority. The contract also provides for such things as sick leave, jury duty, funeral leave, military
service leave, hours of work, overtime, safety regulations, and conditions of employment.
What is a Grievance Procedure?
Currently, you are an “at will” employee. This means your employer has the right to discipline or terminate
you for any reason, even a bad one, or for no reason at all. With a collective bargaining agreement, when
it comes to discipline, you have the right to a structured grievance procedure. This means management
must prove they have "just cause" according to the collective bargaining agreement for any disciplinary
action taken against a union employee.
Will a Union Change Communications with Management?
When employees of a company form a union, a much better system for communicating with management is
formed. Companies that have unions have a legal partnership between their employees and their
managers. A lot of managers say that they have an open-door policy, but in reality the communication is
only from the top, down. Many companies with IBEW contracts have formal labor-management committees
that meet regularly to find solutions to make the company and its employees stronger.
As you can see, by forming a union you and your co-workers can gain more rights on the job, better pay,
benefits and working conditions, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that all the terms of your
employment are secured by a collective bargaining agreement.
To find out more, check out the other site pages or submit your contact information by clicking the
"Contact Us" button and we will get in touch with you.
