Dear Members,

On March 1, 2007, the House of Representatives passed the Employee Free Choice Act (introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), with 241 Representatives voting for this important bill that would make it easier for millions of working people to achieve the American Dream. The bill must now be passed in the Senate and signed by the President to become law. If passed, the Employee Free Choice Act would make the process of choosing a union more fair by:

• Establishing stronger penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form a union and during first-contract negotiations.
• Providing mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes.
  
• Allowing employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation.

We all know that the nation’s middle class is being squeezed (out) and one significant reason for this is the difficulty workers experience when they want to exercise their right to bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions. Every day, corporations harass, intimidate, threaten and even fire people who try to form unions to negotiate for better wages and benefits. They deny employees the freedom to decide for themselves whether to form and support unions. And when corporations do that, they deny working men and women the freedom to pursue a better quality of life.

But...What is a union?

A union is a group of workers who come together to win respect on the job, better wages and benefits, more flexibility for work and family needs and a voice in improving the quality of their services. The basic idea of a union is that by joining together with co-workers to form a union, employees have a better ability, through their strength in numbers, to improve conditions at the workplace. In other words, "In unity there is strength.

The primary purpose of the union is to represent workers in their employment and to negotiate a contract that improves wages, benefits and working conditions and protects workers from unfair treatment. The basis of the contract negotiated with the employer is determined by the workers affected by the proposed contract. After the contract is negotiated, it can only take effect if it is voted on and ratified on by the members. Union members nominate and elect Union Officers (from among the body of their local union) to represent their interests. Any member who meets the qualifications for office may be nominated and elected to office within a local union.

And…Why join a union?

As a worker, you have a right under federal law to form a union, select representatives of your choice and bargain collectively with your employer. This helps balance the power that an employer has over his individual employees. Belonging to a union gives you rights under law that you do not have as an individual, like a say in your job, safety and security. Once you have formed a union, your employer must bargain with the union.

• Your wages and compensation are spelled out in the contract and not SECRET- privately negotiated by management.
• Dignity, rights and respect must be given at all times and not arbitrarily. In this way unions also help remedy discrimination because union contracts ensure that all workers are treated fairly and equally.
• Policies remain consistent instead of ever changing.
• In cases of discipline and dismissal, the union will defend you with legal assistance and a grievance process. As opposed to being an ‘At Will” employee, out on your own.
• You have a voice in the political arena and can work for laws protecting employees and their families. Employers try to take away and weaken laws such as Health and Safety, Overtime, etc…

We hope that you will enjoy this article, “In Solidarity, the Union Advantage,” highlighting our purpose as a labor union in the 21st Century. It is our goal to keep the membership informed about legislation and grassroots movements that affect the quality of life for workers.

In solidarity,
Secretary-Tresurer Pelous