Wednesday, May 27, 2009

FAQS About Forming a Union

What is a union?
A union is an organization of workers who join together in order to have a voice in improving their jobs in the workplace.

What are my rights on the job?
You and your co-workers have a legal right to form a union at your work place. You are protected under the law and it is illegal for management to in any way threaten, harass, spy or discriminate against any employee for union activity.

What kind of raises and benefits can we expect with a union?
Every union contract is different, because it reflects the priorities of the group that negotiated it. But, on average:
Union contracts typically include guaranteed annual raises, pay steps that reward experience and length of service, and higher shift differentials, certification and specialty bonuses, and other premium pay.
Union members have better benefits. Most employees represented by a union have achieved fully paid family health benefits and guaranteed pensions.

Who makes decisions in a union?
A union is a democratic organization. The employees who are members of the union make all the primary decisions. They vote on their union contracts, they elect union leaders, they vote on bylaws and any changes in dues structure and they or their elected representatives vote on other important decisions. A union is guided by the priorities that the members choose.

Do we have a right to form a union?
Yes. By law, employees have the freedom to form a union and work together to improve the quality of their jobs. You can-and should-talk to your co-workers about forming a union anywhere and anytime you're allowed to talk about non-work topics.
Your rights to distribute union literature (during breaks and lunchs, before and after work hours), and encourage other employees to support forming a union are protected by law. It's illegal for your employer to intimidate, discriminate, or otherwise interfere in your decision.

Will we be able to maintain a direct relationship with management?
Yes. Most employees say forming a union improves their relationship with supervisors because everyone knows what to expect and there are clear ways to resolve any problems that arise day-to-day. With a union , we share in decision-making.


Can we lose our benefits if we form a union?
The purpose of negotiating a union contract is to preserve and improve benefits, not lose them. When you sit down to negotiate a union contract, you start with your existing pay and benefits—including those accrued with seniority—and work your way up. Management cannot unilaterally reduce pay or benefits when you vote to form a union.
Because they're written into a legally binding contract that you've voted to approve, your pay and benefits are guaranteed-they can't be changed unless employees at your work place vote to do so. At a time when many companies are looking for ways to cut costs, forming a union is the best way to protect your current benefits.

Does forming a union mean we'll have to go on strike?
No. No one ever wants to go on strike—which is why about 98 percent of union contracts are settled without one. Strikes are the exception, not the rule. More importantly, a decision to go on strike is one that only you and your co-workers can make for yourselves through a democratic vote. If members don't want to strike, there won't be one-it's the members' decision to make by a majority vote.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

PENSION FUND PROBLEMS

Company Chief Executive Bill Zollars complained in the WSJ article that the Central States multi-employer pension fund that it pays into is unfair because YRC ends up paying for truckers who never worked for the company.

Multi-employer pension funds were set up decades ago prior to the deregulation of the trucking industry to ensure that workers' pensions were protected even if they changed companies. Over the past 20 years, thousands of trucking companies have collapsed, leaving their pension obligations to be funded by those left in the fund.

The Central States fund has been in trouble for years as a result of this problem. The world's largest package delivery company United Parcel Service Inc , which had more than 40,000 employees in Central States, paid a $6.1 billion fee to withdraw from the fund in 2007 and have those employees covered by a single-employer fund jointly managed by UPS and the Teamsters union.

UPS' move was widely regarded by analysts as a smart one, given the poor condition of the Central States fund.

Thanks
3rd Floor SBO

Anonymous said...

Did you see that artical about fedex and the pilots union comming to terms on their contract a while back, it seems fedex said they were able to give the pilots there Union Contract and Raises because they took money away form other areas to do so. area's like V-pep, employees benefits were also cut to help pay the pilots. Everyone should come to the next teamsters meeting in O.C. and see what their missing out on. Its our turn to get some of that money shoved our way.

Anonymous said...

Pilots will alway's be taking care of, why? because it's a career with highly education. Also pilots are in demand because of the shortage, just like doctors and nurses. That's why we must push our children in education, so they can end up in high paying careers. Now for us labor workers, we can always be replace by cheaper wage, freshly young kids coming out of high school and lack of education. Even supervisor can be replace if they don't follow corporate. Have you guys ever watch Planet of the Apes and compare and realize that Bankers and Corporate is like those Apes who always had the control and power of humans. Those Apes would take the humans and cut the human thinking thoughts and make them human slaves. Really next time you watch Planet of the Apes you will see what I am talking about and realize that it's the same concept of what's happening in todays world!. Remember those Apes were intimidated by the charactor of Charlton Heston played, that he had knowlede and was able to speak for the rest of the human race, that he would become a leader for the human race. Well enough of that, we the people, we the working class must stand up for our Rights to form a union and become proud Teamsters, become leaders in each of our service centers and to have freedom to participate in our company negotiation and policie and procedure, to have control and power!! remember brothers and sisters keep the dirty side down. "Joe Nuño"

frankiez said...

Re:Pension Fund Problems by 3Floor SBO(aka X-Man-John).
Typical Zollars methodology.Run to the Teamsters and beg to have them help bail him out of HIS management fiasco,then turn around and bite the hand that fed him.
Hmmmm,if I remember correctly,John-excuse me-3Floor, Zollars orchestrated the same wizardry at Viking (Caliber)and managed to put at least 2 companies out of business.Another bit him back (Central)and filed a lawsuit for misrepresentation.
In any case the WSJ article is valid;however, you merely bring it up to cast dispersion upon the Teamsters.Then too, the deal was NEGOTIATED and signed off on.
Who do the employees at Fedex negotiate with to have their benefits cut,work classification to be ARBITRARILY changed,full or part time status also ARBITRARILY changed.Have any of the policies that have been implemented since 7/14/08 been negotiated? NO,in fact if negotiations were even mentioned the person doing so was likely to experience,"Separated Employment",(ala Mike Moss)
Casting dispersions upon the Teamsters merely reflects the obvious BAD MANAGEMENT of those companies that have gone out of business.
Then too,you best be getting yourself a van or at least a pickup truck to deliver freight/packages.Why? Simply because Mr. Fredex's pilots are in that same union-THE TEAMSTERS!!!.
And,as you imply,it's just a matter of time before they fold.
Also,John-excuse me-3Floor,did you greet the reductions in your salary/benefits when they went to help fulfill the terms of the TEAMSTER's contract for the pilots.Bet you did at those corporate meetings where,"we all have to make sacrifices",was being spouted by your new ex-Conway executives.Yeah,and they did such a wonderful job at Conway.Not to worry about them though their other talent is resume' enhancement.
As previously stated John-excuse me 3Foor-we the employees of Fedex haven't changed,the corporate environment has.Thus we need a contract negotiated by the TEAMSTERS for our MUTUAL BENEFIT so we can get back to being the best LTL carrier in the West.
Otherwise we'll continue to go round and round like this.
Finally, no hard feelings,we'll do lunch when it's over;til then we'll be waiting for your reply.
FRANK ZUNT

Anonymous said...

"Pilots will alway's be taking care of, why? because it's a career with highly education."

And they is literate!

Anonymous said...

Bankers and Corporate is like those Apes who always had the control and power of humans. (damm your right joe we the employees at fedex are like those humans in plant of the apes. "LOL" gee now every time I look at our management I see them wearing those black leather vest(red shirt) the apes had on the movie."LOL" and our service manager at wht does remind me of cornilus especially them beatie eyes "LOL" your killing me with such laughter joe. but seriously we definitely need a collective bargain aggreement and we to unionize.)

Anonymous said...

i think it is pretty dumb to compare our selves with pilots , its like saying we do the same job , do you think a medical assistant can do the same thing a operation room doctor can thats pretty much the difference between us and pilots ,

and that question on can are benifits be taken away if we join the union the answer is yes fedex does not have to agree with what the union presents them and also if they cant negotiate a contract they are not required to give you your position back if they get replacements while on strke

Anonymous said...

Hey mr.red shirt, this company has already taken medical benefits from employees here and we're not even negotiating a contract.
And what we only want is a fair contract like the pilots who also work for fedex. No one we do the same job! Dummy!

Anonymous said...

That last comment about the pilots and us not being on the same level, is what were talking about. They took some money away from us to help pay the pilots, So this being said anytime they ceo's or operations mgrs want more they screw us, the working class. That's treating your employees fair and with respect. Look what happened to our brothers and sisters on the docks, do you think after this was done to them, were not going to be next. NEW MANAGEMENT NEEDED HERE IF FRED WANTS TO SHOW SOME RESPECT.

frankiez said...

Me thinks we're touching a nerve with the,"anonymous",management types that visit this site.
As for it being,"pretty dumb",to compare ourselves to pilots,you obviously cut the English classes that taught writing/composition,or you would realize I was utilizing comparison and contrast to make a point.Wait a minute it did work it got you to think.
As far as we being able to exercise the duties of a doctor(MD),no,of course not.
Yet,if we don't do our job responsibly and competently that same doctor cannot do his job.
As to Fredex not agreeing to the terms/contents of a contract that's why Fred's negotiators and the Teamsters negotiators will sit down and NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT that is MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL to both parties.THEN the potential TEAMSTER members will vote to accept or reject that proposal.If rejected the process continues focused on the points of contention until an agreement is reached and approved by the voting members.
Then,with a CONTRACT we will return to conducting business in a normal manner.A manner in which these petty management tactics will be a thing of the past.
We'll all be happy and maybe you'll be able to return to night school to get the sorely needed English composition classes.
Finally,just as in war there are casualties-that's unfortunate.So it is in this struggle also.For those who hesitated-for whatever reason-and are lost to the cause that too is unfortunate.However,for those who persevered and saw it through the rewards will be great.All the arbitrary changes,change of job classification,full time status lost and the other injustices we have suffered will be a thing of the past.
Just ask the pilots,they'll tell you.
FRANK ZUNT
IDENTIFIED

Anonymous said...

Guarenteed 8 hours a day No
Medical and dental for all No
Paid holidays for all No
Paid Vacation for all No
40 Hours sick pay No
9 Paid Holidays a year No
Bonuses for all No
Grievance committee No
Seniority for all No
Guarrenteed Pension No
Layoffs by seniority No
Forced to part time Yes
Unfair policys Yes
Favortisiam Yes

There are so many changes here that we need a Union contract to fix some of these issues that were Forced upon us. We did not Vote for any of this and our Voices did not count as Tom would have said You have a voice here, No not really that was just a bunch of bull. None of us wanted these changes and non of us Voted on them either, But someone did. Talking with a few employees last week we found out some worked over 17 18 years here and they got screwed by the so called seniority layoff policy FORCED UPON THEM. Im sure every person here has one good or bad thing to say about this or that, but we cannot work it out without a Grievance Committe because our currant Voices are not being heard. It was also nice to know that your More Important as a person if your a Pilot or CEO, Remember that if your in a wreck and the EMT has just been told he or she is being forced to part time because the doctors need more money.

Anonymous said...

mr frank lets see if you understand this language chinga tu madre, spanish is my frist language and i am not a red shirt im a hard working pd drver from wht, why do you asume anyone thats not with you is a red shirt ? if there were so many guys on your side we would already be teamsters but your just full of shit like fedex is, post this betch

Anonymous said...

FIRE ALL THE OVERPAID MANAGERS NEXT WEEK AND GIVE US A CHANCE TO RUN THE SHOW HERE. ANYONE CAN ANSWERE A PHONE AND SCHEDULE EMPLOYEES TO WORK THESE YARDS. WHY PAY 90.000 WHEN WE CAN START FOR 60.000 AND DO THE SAME JOB THEY CAN. FROM NOW ON MANAGERS HAVE TO DRIVE THE FORKLIFTS AND WORK THE DOCKS ONCE A WEEK OR ROTATE THE MANAGERS AND OPERATIONS MANAGERS EVERY 3 MONTHS. 3 MONTHS ON THE AM, 3 ON THE PM AND 3 ON THE GRAVEYARD.

john said...

i have to say that guy is right if there were more people supporting the union we would be teamsters already. so p and d driver from wht go to the next meeting and join in and find out if this is for you or not. unlike fedex the teamsters are about employees voicing their own opinion not talking crap degrading employees for union involvement like greg and andy. so make your own choice and stop crying

Anonymous said...

HEY FRED I LIKE THAT SUGGESTION FROM ANONYMOUS. HAVE YOUR OPPS MGRS CHANGE THEIR WORKING HRS EVERY 3 OR 4 MONTHS. THEY NEED TO BE SEEN BY ALL OUR EMPLOYEES, AND HECK HAVE THE MECHANICS CHANGE HRS EVERY 3 MONTHS SO THEY CAN ALL ENJOY SOME MORNING AND AFTERNOON TIME WITH THEIR FAMILYS TOO.