WHAT IS A UNION?
A Union is a group of individuals who come together in order to better represent themselves in their working relationship with their employer.
WHAT DOES THE UNION DO?
The Union acts on your behalf to negotiate a contract with your employer. The contract establishes levels of pay, benefits and working conditions. The Union makes sure that you receive fair treatment on the job by making your employer follow the contract. If you are treated unfairly – if you are disciplined or fired without just cause – the Union is there to defend you and to make sure your rights are protected.
WHAT IS A CONTRACT?
A contract is a legally binding agreement between your Union (who represents you) and your employer. The contract details your wages, your health and retirement plans, vacations, holidays and the working conditions to which you are entitled.
WHY SHOULD I JOIN THE UNIOIN?
A united membership is what gives the Union its strength. We need to be strong in order to negotiate increases for the workers! John F Kennedy once said, “The labor movement is people. Unions have brought millions of men and women together and given them common tools for common goals.”
WHY ARE UNION MEMBERS BETTER OFF?
The Union, through the collective strength of the membership, can achieve through negotiations what an individual cannot. People who work without the protection of a Union are at the mercy of their employer and have no ability to protect themselves!
WILL WE HAVE TO STRIKE?
Only ICWUC members can decide whether or not to strike, by 2/3’s vote of the workers who would be directly involved, after voting by secret ballot.
HOW MUCH ARE UNION DUES?
Most ICWUC locals have dues in the neighborhood of $10 -$14 per week.