Members

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Union

• You have a voice in wages – benefits – working conditions.
• Your wages – benefits – etc. are protected by a legal contract.
• If you are disciplined – management has to follow steps.
• If you are disciplined for something you did not do – the union will defend you!
• If you do a good job and are in line for a promotion – you WILL get it.
• You have a voice!!! Management doesn't have to listen to you.

• Attend meetings to discuss joining a union.
• Read, distribute, and discuss union literature (as long as you do this in non-work areas during non-work times, such as during breaks or lunch hours.)
• Wear union buttons, T-shirts, stickers, hats, or other items on the job.
• Sign a card asking your employer to recognize and bargain with the union.
• Sign petitions or file grievances related to wages, hours, working conditions, and other job issues.
• Ask other employees to support the union, to sign union cards or petitions, or to file grievances.

One way of proving that a union has majority support is through a secret-ballot “representation election” conducted by the National Labor Relations Board.

You have a legal right to participate in that election without interferences from your employer.

After the union’s election victory is officially certified by the National Labor Relations Board, your employer is legally required to negotiate in “good faith” with the union on a written contract covering wages, hours, and other working conditions.

Under Section 8 of the National Labor Relations Act, your employer cannot legally punish or discriminate against any worker because of union activity.

For example, your employer cannot legally do the following:

• Threaten to or actually fire, lay off, discriminate, harass, transfer, or reassign employees because they support the union.
• Favor employees who don’t support the union over those who do in promotions, job assignments, wages, hours, enforcement of rules, or any other working condition.
• Threaten to or actually take away jobs, pay, or any benefits or privileges employees already enjoy in order to discourage union activity.
• Promise employees a pay increase, promotion, benefit, or special favor if they oppose the union.

Some employers try to prevent the workers from joining a union. The best way to encourage your employer to recognize your union and negotiate a fair contract is to build a strong organization where you work. CWA’s staff will help you do that. In addition, CWA’s organizers, staff representatives, and attorneys will help you enforce your legal rights at every step of the way. If necessary, CWA will file “unfair labor practice” charges with the National Labor Relations Board.

The Labor Board has the power – backed up by the federal courts – to order an employer to stop interfering with employee rights and to reverse any action taken against workers for union activity.

You can help protect your legal rights by:

• Keeping written notes of any incidents in which company officials or supervisors threaten, harass, or punish workers because of union activity.
• Immediately reporting any such incidents to your organizing committee and CWA staff.