Non-Union Workers Have Rights Too:
The National Labor Relations Board has granted non-union workers an important legal right: the right to have a co-worker present for any questioning by supervisors that might lead to discipline. To exercise this right, use the following statement: "If this 'coaching,' discussion, meeting or telephone call could in any way be related my being disciplined or terminated or affect any of my working conditions, I exercise my federal rights and hereby request that a co-worker of my choice be present. Without that co-worker's presence, I choose not to participate in this discussion or meeting. I will not waive this right."
The National Labor Relations Board has granted non-union workers an important legal right: the right to have a co-worker present for any questioning by supervisors that might lead to discipline. To exercise this right, use the following statement: "If this 'coaching,' discussion, meeting or telephone call could in any way be related my being disciplined or terminated or affect any of my working conditions, I exercise my federal rights and hereby request that a co-worker of my choice be present. Without that co-worker's presence, I choose not to participate in this discussion or meeting. I will not waive this right."
What Happens When Workers Try to Form Unions?
Although most workers have the legal right to form unions, nearly all employers launch ruthless
anti-union campaigns, using both legal and illegal tactics to thwart workers' right to choose
a voice on the job.
Although most workers have the legal right to form unions, nearly all employers launch ruthless
anti-union campaigns, using both legal and illegal tactics to thwart workers' right to choose
a voice on the job.
- Fully 92 percent of employers force workers to attend meetings where bosses argue against the union. Employers can legally force workers to attend these meetings. Workers who refuse to go can be fired-legally.
- More than three-quarters of employers force workers to sit in one-on-one meetings with their supervisors to "change their minds" on unions.
- One-quarter of employers illegally fire workers involved in union activity.
- Today's labor laws allow employers to "predict" (although not "threaten") that a workplace will shut down if workers vote for the union, often scaring and intimidating workers out of exercising their freedom to choose a union.
- Our nation's labor laws are enforced so feebly employers routinely get away with breaking them.
- When employers are punished, the penalties are too weak to deter other unscrupulous employers from breaking the law.
- Fully 32 million workers in the United States--including independent contractors, first-line supervisors, some government workers and agricultural workers--have no right to collectively bargain under the law at all, according to a September 2002 report from the General Accounting Office.
(Source: AFL-CIO America @ Work, August, 2003)
Employer Interference by the Numbers
| Employers that illegally fire at least one worker for union activity during organizing campaigns |
25%
|
| Employers that hire consultants or union-busters to help them fight union organizing drives |
75%
|
| Employers that force employees to attend one-on-one meetings with their own supervisors against the union |
78%
|
| Employers that force employees to attend mandatory closed-door meetings against the union |
92%
|
| Employers that threaten to call the Immigration and Naturalization Service during organizing drives that include undocumented employees |
52%
|
| Companies that threaten to close the plant it the union wins the election |
51%
|
| Companies that actually close their plants after a successful union election |
1%
|
| Percent of elections in which workers vote to have a union but still have no contract two years after the election |
32%
|
| Proportion of public who says laws protecting the freedom to join unions are important |
74%
|
| Proportion of public who knows what happens in America's workplaces when workers try to form a union |
44%
|
| Non-union workers who say they want to join a union |
42
MILLION |
( Sources: AFL-CIO America @ Work; Kate Bronfenbrenner, Uneasy Terrain: The Impact of Capital Mobility on Workers, Wages and Union
Organizing, Sept. 6, 2000; Human Rights Watch, Unfair Advantage: Workers' Freedom of Association in the United States Under International
Human Rights Standards, 2000; Membership surveys for the AFL-CIO, Peter Hart Research, 1999, 2001 and 2003; Richard B. Freeman and
Joel Rogers, What Workers Want, ILR Press, 2002, with updated figures from authors, June 2002.)
Organizing, Sept. 6, 2000; Human Rights Watch, Unfair Advantage: Workers' Freedom of Association in the United States Under International
Human Rights Standards, 2000; Membership surveys for the AFL-CIO, Peter Hart Research, 1999, 2001 and 2003; Richard B. Freeman and
Joel Rogers, What Workers Want, ILR Press, 2002, with updated figures from authors, June 2002.)
The email address that is associated with this link is
strictly for the Organizing Department and is not
meant to be a complaint line. If you are a member of
Local 881 and have a question or comment not
relating to Organizing, please contact your Union
Representative directly. Only requests for Organizing
information is taken through this email address.
strictly for the Organizing Department and is not
meant to be a complaint line. If you are a member of
Local 881 and have a question or comment not
relating to Organizing, please contact your Union
Representative directly. Only requests for Organizing
information is taken through this email address.
WHY UNION?
Union members decide what they want in their contract. By law, the company has to negotiate with your Union over wages, benefits, and other working conditions. You and your co-workers will vote whether or not to accept your contract.
Union members have seniority rights.
Union members have professional representation that provides all members with dignity and respect on the job.
Your Union contract guarantees that your employer must pay you the wages and benefits set forth in the contract.
Union members decide what they want in their contract. By law, the company has to negotiate with your Union over wages, benefits, and other working conditions. You and your co-workers will vote whether or not to accept your contract.
Union members have seniority rights.
Union members have professional representation that provides all members with dignity and respect on the job.
Your Union contract guarantees that your employer must pay you the wages and benefits set forth in the contract.
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Section 7 of the NLRA Guarantees
YOUR RIGHT TO: |
Federal Law Says It Is Illegal For Your Employer To:
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FORM A UNION
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Interfere with your rights which are guaranteed in Sec. 7 of the National Labor Relations Act
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JOIN A UNION
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Coerce you in the exercise of your rights
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Assist in organizing a UNION
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Restrain you in the exercise of your rights
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Talk to your co-workers about organizing
(in non-work areas and not on company time) |
Discriminate against you because you exercise your rights
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Bargain collectively with your employer
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Fire you or threaten to fire you for exercising your rights
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Engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection
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Change your working conditions because you exercise your rights
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Refuse to bargain with the Union which you choose to represent you
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WHEN: Volunteer as many or as few free time hours as you can spare.
HOW: As a member of the V.O.C., you will play an integral role in protecting Union Jobs. Volunteers can choose to work on organizing campaigns, participate in political activities, work on phone banks, attend rallies, distribute literature, and more.
WHY: Organizing non-union competition protects Union jobs and brings added strength to the bargaining table during contract negotiations. Organizing non-union employees is best done by Union members working in the same industry. You can relate to fellow workers in a way that no one else can. You can em ail us at unionyes@local881ufcw.org or call the Organizing Department TODAY! (see phone number below)
If you would like to get involved with the Local 881 Organizing Team, please call us at 847-294-5064,
ext. 390 for the Volunteer Organizing Committee, or ext. 463, for general information on Organizing.
ext. 390 for the Volunteer Organizing Committee, or ext. 463, for general information on Organizing.