What is a Union?

1
What is a Union?

• An association, combination, or organization of
  employees who band together to secure favorable
  wages, improved working conditions, and better
  work hours, and to resolve grievances against
  employers.

2
Unions and Management 8.3

• Labor Contract Issues
• Wages and Fringe Benefits
• Working Conditions
• Job Security
• Union Security
• Grievance Procedures

3
Labor Contract Issues 8.3

• Wages and Fringe Benefits
• Vary according to type of position and seniority
• How is Overtime paid?
• COLA or cost of living allowance raises
• Fringe Benefitsare non-wage payments includes
  sick days, holidays, vacation days, health and
  life insurance, profit sharing, etc.

4
Labor and Contract Issues 8.3

• Working Conditions
• Clean and safe workplace
• Reasonable working hours
• Clearly defined job responsibilities

5
Labor and Contract Issues 8.3

• Job SecurityThe legal system provides some
  protection by prohibiting an employer from firing
  an employee because of race, sex, religion, age,
  or union activity.
• Senioritythe holding of privileges based on the
  number of years a worker has been employed by the
  company.

6
Labor Contract Issues 8.3

• Union SecurityEmployees are free to join and
  participate in union activities without penalty.
• Grievance ProceduresWhen a work related dispute
  arises, either labor or management may seek
  resolution by following a set of agreed upon
  steps for solving the problem.

7
Contract Negotiations 8.3

• Collective BargainingWhen negotiating a new
  contract with management, union leaders speak for
  all the members they represent.
• MediationNegotiators call in a neutral third
  party to listen to arguments of both sides and to
  suggest ways in which an agreement can be
  reached.
• ArbitrationLike mediation except decision is
  binding.

8
Union Tactics 8.3

• StrikeUnions call for union members to stop
  working until contract demands are met.
• Most strikes are called over wage disputes
• Others are called over poor working conditions
• Others are called over unfair management
  practices
• PicketingWalking in front of business with
  signs.
• Informs public that a strike is in progress
• May arouse public sympathy for workers
• Discourages non-strikers from entering

9
Union Tactics 8.3

• Boycotts Is an organized effort to stop the
  purchase of a companys products.
• Secondary boycottIs a refusal to buy the goods
  or services of any firm that does business with a
  company whose employees are on strike.
• Coordinated CampaigningInvolves the use of both
  picketing and boycotting.

10
Management Responses 8.3

• Three common management actions
• Hiring replacement workers
• Introducing a lockout
• Asking for an injunction

11
Management Responses 8.3

• Replacement WorkersThe company may decide to
  hire replacement workers.
• Hard to find qualified workers
• May be intimidated by the strikers
• LockoutsThe employer closes a companys doors
  until negotiators reach a contract agreement.
• InjunctionsCompany asks government to issue a
  court order to prevent workers from striking.