Talk to friends family coworkers managers Read handouts websites Read Talk Challenge both sides

INTRO What we’re covering this module and what to expect. Intro & Our commitment Specific Content Clearly Illustrated & Presenter Notes What Questions You Should Be Asking The Union Conclusion Points

Facts (you can check!) Safe environment Respect Open mind Informed decision Your commitment to each other

The Stages of a Union Campaign Where are you now? What can you expect will happen next?

CARD SIGNING TARGETING The union may spend months, even years, planning a campaign against your employer. CARD SIGNING Organizers collect signed union cards, often through workers who want the union. The union and your employer have 3-5 weeks to campaign for your vote. ELECTION CAMPAIGN VOTE NEGOTIATIONS Months to years Up to one year 3 – 5 weeks Often years No guarantee of a contract. UNION CONTRACT ? Your employer is REQUIRED BY LAW to give your address to the union.

Card Signing What it means to you. What it means to the union.

What are the obligations of membership? Y o u l o s e t h e r i g h t t o r e p r e s e n t y o u r s e l f. What will the union do with your personal information? What do you know about this group? Legal talk: this is a contract. How much will those dues be?

What are the obligations of membership? Y o u l o s e t h e r i g h t t o r e p r e s e n t y o u r s e l f. What will the union do with your personal information? What do you know about this group? Legal talk: this is a contract. How much will those dues be?

What’s at stake for the union? Average hourly rate: $10.00 Union dues rate: x 2.5 HRS/MN Monthly union dues: $25.00 Annual union dues: $ x 200 DUES PAYERS Annual income for union: $60, Value to union of a three-year contract $180, you pay $ dues/year

Unions As Businesses What it means to you. What it means to the union.

Teamsters membership DOWN by 1/3 (since 1975) Teamsters spending DOUBLED (since just 2001) Cutting back on services Increasing dues Trying to replace lost members To balance their budgets unions are Teamster members pay 80% more in dues than they did in 2001 Source: IBT LM-2 Reports, U.S. Department of Labor

DUES RECEIPT No refunds, no returns! Spending on Individual Members? UNION OFFICIALS’ PAY $45.00 OFFICIALS’ BENEFITS $16.00 MUTUAL FUNDS $28.00 CONTRIBUTIONS $1.00 STRIKE PAY $1.00 Taxes $4.00 ALL OTHER SPENDING $5.00 MEMBERS $ you pay $ dues/year

Collective Bargaining What it means to you. What it means to the union.

Employees’ issues Pay Benefits Schedules Job Security Workload “Respect” Company goals Management Rights Clause Flexibility Quality Remain competitive

The union will assign a negotiator. The negotiator has all the power at the table. The negotiator makes all decisions on the contract including what to propose, reject and agree to. Workers rarely have any say in who negotiates for them.

Most unions do NOT require workers vote to accept a contract. And the International union has the final authority to approve or reject all contracts. The only vote may be to accept a losing contract or go out on strike.

Union Rules What it means to you. What it means to the union.

*Only members can vote on Contracts Strikes Stewards & officers Every union member* must follow the union’s constitution and local bylaws. A union’s constitution spells out  The powers of union officials  Rules all members must follow  How decisions are really made 232 pages!

ARTICLE II SECTION 2- MEMBERSHIP Section 2(a)...Each person upon becoming a member thereby pledges his honor; to faithfully observe the Constitution and laws of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the Bylaws and laws of his Local Union; to comply with all rules and regulations for the government of the International Union and his Local Union...and at all times to bear true and faithful allegiance to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and his Local Union. ARTICLE II SECTION 2- MEMBERSHIP Section 2(a)...Each person upon becoming a member thereby pledges his honor; to faithfully observe the Constitution and laws of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the Bylaws and laws of his Local Union; to comply with all rules and regulations for the government of the International Union and his Local Union...and at all times to bear true and faithful allegiance to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and his Local Union. Members “pledge” to follow this union’s constitution and bylaws. All members must bear “true and faithful allegiance” to the Teamsters. Criticizing the union or its officials is a violation of the constitution.

You must pay union dues, assessments, fees, and fines or lose your job.

Strikes What it means to you. What it means to the union.

5,183 workers lost 151,600 days of pay. The average Teamsters strike lasted 37 days. In 2010, the Teamsters called 63 strikes.

Strikers and “scabs” share hard feelings long after a strike ends. And the union may fine you for crossing.

1. Your paychecks stop if you go out on strike. 2. Strikers cannot collect unemployment*. 3. It can take years to replace lost pay even with a wage increase. 4. Strikes often end with no better offer from the company. *Except in NJ, NY, RI and HI

Voting What it means to you. What it means to the union.

You must pay dues & obey union rules even if you Why should I care? didn’t sign a union card didn’t sign a union card don’t want to vote don’t want to vote don’t want to be involved don’t want to be involved Wait… What?!

Insert copy of actual ballot – DO NOT MARK CHECK ONLY ONE BOX DO NOT SIGN YOUR BALLOT DO Ask for help or a fresh ballot DON’T DO NOT write anything on the ballot

20 VOTE “YES” RESULT: NO UNION 30 VOTE “NO” 50 ELIGIBLE VOTERS Understanding the Outcome 20 VOTE “YES” 19 VOTE “NO” RESULT: UNION WINS all 50 workers must pay dues must work under a union contract lose their individual voice at work

EVERY VOTE COUNTS.

Read Talk The NLRB pamphlet “Your Government Conducts an Election.” To your coworkers about the importance of every vote Make sure everyone knows when and how to vote Challenge Challenge your coworkers to reach 100% turnout!