Union 101

There is power in numbers—as well as in knowledge.

An old African proverb says, "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

 

Union 101:

 

A Quick Study of How Unions Help Workers Win a Voice on the Job

 

Adapted from The Union Members Complete Guide, by Michael Mauer

 

What Are Unions?

 

A union is nothing more complicated than a group of workers who have chosen to band together to promote their common interests. One person standing alone may be weak, but many joined together are powerful.

 

A union is a group of workers who form an organization to gain:

How do people form a union?

 

When workers decide they want to come together to improve their jobs, they work with a union to help them form their own local chapter. Once a majority of workers shows they want a union, sometimes employers honor the workers’ choice. Often, the workers must ask the government to hold an election. If the workers win their union, they negotiate a contract with the employer that spells out each party’s rights and responsibilities in the workplace.

 

Does the law protect workers joining unions?

 

It’s supposed to—but too often it doesn’t. Under the law, employers are not allowed to discriminate against or fire workers for choosing to join a union. For example, it’s illegal for employers to threaten to shut down their businesses or to fire employees or take away benefits if workers form a union. However, employers routinely violate these laws, and the penalties are weak or nonexistent.

 

What kinds of workers are forming unions today?

 

A wider range of people than ever before, including many women and immigrants, is joining unions—doctors and nurses, poultry workers and graduate employees, home health care aides and wireless communications workers, auto parts workers and engineers, to name a few.

 

How do unions help working families today?

 

Through unions, workers win better wages, benefits and a voice on the job—and good union jobs mean stronger communities. Union workers earn 30 percent more than nonunion workers and are more likely to receive health care and pension benefits than those without a union. In 2007, median weekly earnings for full-time union wage and salary workers were $863, compared with $663 for their nonunion counterparts. Unions lead the fight today for better lives for working people, such as through expanded family and medical leave, improved safety and health protections and fair-trade agreements that lift the standard of living for workers all over the world.

 

What have unions accomplished for all workers?

 

Unions have made life better for all working Americans by helping to pass laws ending child labor, establishing the eight-hour day, protecting workers’ safety and health and helping create Social Security, unemployment insurance and the minimum wage, for example. Unions are continuing the fight today to improve life for all working families in America.

 

What challenges do workers face today when they want to form unions?

 

Today, thousands of workers want to join unions. The wisest employers understand that when workers form unions, their companies also benefit. But most employers fight workers’ efforts to come together by intimidating, harassing and threatening them. In response, workers are reaching out to their communities for help exercising their freedom to improve their lives.

 

Union Steward

 

Union Steward (aka Shop Steward) is the title of an official position within the organizational hierarchy of a labor union. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that rank and file members of the union hold this position voluntarily (through democratic election by fellow workers or sometimes by appointment of a higher union body) while maintaining their role as an employee of the firm. As a result the Union Steward becomes a significant link and conduit of information between the union leadership and rank and file workers.

 

Duties

 

The duties of a union steward vary according to each labor union's constitutional mandate for the position. In general most union stewards perform the following functions:

CWA History:

 

The Communications Workers of America is a young union that was founded in New Orleans in 1938. CWA is the largest telecommunications union in the world representing over 700,000 workers. CWA members are employed in the telecommunications industry, printing and news media, public services, health care, cable TV, general manufacturing, sounds and electronics, and utilities.

 

The CWA Triangle symbolizes the three main programs of the union: Organizing, Representation, Community and Political Action. The philosophy behind the triangle is all three sides have to stand together in order to work. One can never stand alone. Therefore a united union is a strong union that keeps going on the dedication of its members.

 

NABET History

 

“NABET-CWA your Union” has been the theme of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians almost from its inception in 1934. NABET began its history of representing employees in Broadcasting (Television, Radio, Film and Production) at what was then called the “Red” and “Blue” networks, now ABC and NBC. At that time NABET’s (then ATE, the Association of Technical Employees) first contract provided $175.00 per month and 48-hour work week. In 1937 NABET expanded, covering independent radio and television stations, and in 1939 achieved a union shop clause.

 

In 1940 came the name change from ATE to NABET, and in 1941 the first 8 hour day, and NABET grew to 23 independent contracts. In 1951, NABET affiliated with the CIO, followed in 1952 by the Canadians joining NABET. By 1960 NABET’s independent contracts grew to 100. In 1965, came the first film local. In 1968 the Canadians achieved local autonomy followed in 1974 by full autonomy. In 1993, NABET affiliated with the Communications Workers of America, followed in 1994 with a full merger, which resulted in the new name NABET-CWA.

 

Over the years, NABET has fought for and won benefits and wages for its represented members, which include a union shop, 8-hour work days, vacations, holidays, sick leave, insurance, overtime pay, pension plans, seniority, grievance and arbitration, safety and health. NABET is proud of its fine tradition of democracy and service to our members by officers and staff whose roots are in the industry.

 

What does NABET-CWA do for me?

 

NABET-CWA represents you to your employer by negotiating and enforcing a contract, which creates and protects your rights in the workplace, by organizing other workers and by being active in the political arena to advance the interest of working families.

 

Why do I have to pay dues whether I join or not join the union?

 

You get the benefits of a contract and representation whether you join or not.  The Agency shop provision in our agreement, negotiated in accordance with federal labor law, requires all employees covered by the contract to pay their fair share of the representation costs.

 

How are Stewards and Officers selected?  Why don't we get to vote on all of them?

 

Local Officers are elected directly by the membership in accordance with the local by-laws for three-year terms.  The local by-laws can be changed by the membership.  NABET-CWA Shop Stewards are elected not appointed.  Our members elect delegates to the Sector Conference, who in-turn elect the national officers of NABET-CWA in accordance with the NABET-CWA Sector By-Laws.

 

How is NABET-CWA structured?

 

NABET-CWA is a sector of CWA, which is a representative democracy governed by a constitution in accordance with federal law.  The order of authority created by the CWA Constitution:  Convention, National Executive Board, the District, the Local and the members.  NABET-CWA Sector has its own by-laws, as well as local by-laws, in conformance with the CWA Constitution. The representative process starts with the members who elect Local Officers, Region Vice Presidents, and delegates to district and national conventions.  NABET-CWA Region Vice-Presidents and national officers form the Sector Executive Council, which is responsible for NABET-CWA policies between quadrennial NABET-CWA conferences.

 

What is a labor contract?  How is it enforced?

 

The employer and union periodically renegotiate a labor contract.  A majority of voting members must then ratify the tentative contract for it to be accepted.  The contract is enforced by the grievance-arbitration process, which is created by the contract and ultimately supported by the federal labor law. If you are interested in how these processes work, see our Shop Steward web page as well.

 

 

Mobilization

 

Mobilization is the "act of mobilizing." Webster defines mobilizing as putting into movement or circulation; to assemble or make ready for war, duty and to marshal (as resources) for action.

 

Just as we prepare each grievance as if it were eventually going to arbitration, we must prepare (through mobilization) each bargaining unit as if we were eventually not going to reach a settlement. It's too late to build a mobilization structure and educate and involve the members once the contract has expired.

 

Many Mobilization activities occur around bargaining time. For Locals that have functioning Mobilization structures, activities can occur at any time...not just during bargaining. If a Local wants to alert the membership about a Legislative or Political Activity, a Social Event, a special Membership Meeting, etc., utilizing the Mobilization Structure is a quick and efficient way. A working Mobilization Structure also keeps members involved through on-on-one contact.

 

There is power in an informed and involved membership. Mobilization efforts bring members together with a common goal. That goal can be a community project, speaking before a city council or supporting bargaining through activities. The best negotiators in the world cannot bring in a Contract without the help of the membership through education and action.

 

Every Local should have a Mobilization Committee that meets regularly and keeps the structure up to date and running smoothly. It is much easier to do this on a continuous basis versus once every two or three years.

 

Mobilization can mean the difference in obtaining a great versus a mediocre contract; the election of good candidates versus bad and the education of many members versus few. Mobilization is one of the most important activities that every Local should be involved in.

 

MOBILIZATION DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE

 

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