What is a union?

What is a union?

To understand our position on unions, it is helpful to understand not only what a union is, but what a union is not. A union is not a club or a social organization.

• Unions represent their members in dealings with employers. In return, unions charge fees for their services. These fees are often deducted directly from associate paychecks.

• Today, just 6% of workers in the private sector belong to a union. Like any business, unions need a revenue stream to stay in business. This revenue comes from dues paying members. Unions need new members to survive.

Collective Bargaining

Collective Bargaining

How Collective Bargaining Really Works

The union and the company come together for a series of meetings to reach an agreement on a union contract.

During these meetings, the union is allowed to ask for the things it’s promised you, but it’s also allowed to ask for things the union wants, things that you might not care about at all.

And the union can trade away things that you do care about to get what they want.

The Downside

The Downside

Union organizers can and will promise you anything to get you to support union representation. However, what you’re unlikely to hear from them is the downside of union organization, how it directly impacts you and our company.

Unions Cost Money … Yours

Union representation has a hefty price tag. Here are a few examples of the financial obligations you may encounter with membership:

• Union dues (click here to calculate your union dues)
• Initiation fees
• Reinstatement fees
• Union assessments
• Union fines

Loss of Flexibility

Union contracts typically contain lots of work rules that tie a company’s hands in dealing with its associates. For example, our ability to provide flexible schedules and help our people achieve a work-life balance could be severely affected by typical seniority provisions found in union contracts, which are based on how long you’ve worked for the company, and nothing else. We don’t think that’s a fair system for anyone.

Glossary

Glossary

If you are new to labor unions, there are some terms that you may come across during your research:

Bylaws & Union Constitution
A labor union’s set of rules and regulations that all union members must follow. Learn more about the Union’s Constitution.

Collective Bargaining
A complex legal process of negotiating a contract between a company and a labor union which represents a designated group of employees in a “bargaining unit.”

"Speak for Yourself" Quiz

“Speak for Yourself” Quiz

What do you really know about unions and union representation? Take the quiz below and test your knowledge.