|
-
Frequently
Asked Questions
Relating to Organizing
|
|
|
What is a union?
|
A union is a group of employees who join together within a company
to bargain collectively for better wages, stronger benefits and
safer working conditions.
|
|
|
|
|
What
does the Teamsters Union do?
|
The primary objective of the Teamsters Union
is to secure
good contracts for its members and to enforce the provisions of
that contract. The Local Union also administers the contract
through a grievance procedure.
See The
Teamster Contract.
|
|
|
|
How
do you organize with the Teamsters ?
|
Employees who want to join the Teamsters,
sign a “union authorization card”. When a majority
of employees sign cards, they are forwarded, in most cases, to the
National Labor Relations Board
(NLRB). The NLRB then schedules and conducts a secret ballot
election. In some cases, when a majority of workers sign cards the
company will recognize the union.
When the Teamsters are certified, the company is required by law
to bargain over wages, benefits and working conditions. The laws
governing public sector different.
See Getting
Started
|
|
|
|
If I sign an authorization do I have to vote yes in the
election?
What if I change my mind?
|
Teamsters are committed to organizing workers that want
Teamster representation. Organizing is not about holding a vote;
it is about gaining a voice in the workplace.
When the NLRB conducts a union
election it's a secret ballot. No one has any right to know how
you voted.
|
|
|
|
How
does the Teamsters Union work out problems with management?
|
Through a grievance procedure. The contract spells out what the
grievance procedures are and explains how conflicts are to be
resolved.
When management engages in unfair
conduct or violates a a provision of the contract there are steps
spelled out in the contract to resolve the problem. You would
generally talk with your supervisor first. Then if they refuse to
do anything about it, you would go to your Teamster shop steward
to get help. The steward sits down with you and management and
tries to talk about the issue. If it can't be resolved at this
meeting, a business agent from the Teamsters union approaches the
company to talk the issue over. If the problem still cannot be
resolved to everyone's satisfaction, the business agent may be
able to appeal to upper management. If this step fails, the
parties may request the assistance of a neutral arbitrator to hear
evidence and order a final and binding resolution of the problem.
|
|
|
|
What
are shop stewards and business agents?
|
A shop steward is one of your co-workers,
who assists the business agent of your Local Union in the workplace. The
Union membership determines who the shop stewards are in
accordance with the procedures outlined in Local Union's
By-Laws. The Steward's job is to make sure your company
lives up to your contract. When there is a problem with management
and you need help, your first stop should be a visit with your
shop steward.
A business agent is an official of the Local
Union who handles any problems the shop steward cannot.
|
|
|
|
What is a “bargaining unit”?
|
A bargaining unit is made up of all the employees who are eligible
to vote for and be in the union.
|
|
|
|
Who negotiates your contract?
|
The
Teamsters Union and the company each choose their
own negotiators. The company's team is usually comprised of
lawyers, local management and upper management officials. The
union team usually consists of bargaining unit employees and
expert union negotiators.
See Contract
Negotiations.
|
|
|
|
What kind of say do I get in the contract?
|
Before contract talks start, the Union asks you what you'd like to
see in a contract. A proposal meeting is scheduled for all a
bargaining unit's members, prior to negotiations beginning. Once
the contract has been negotiated it's submitted to you and your
co-workers for ratification. If a majority doesn't approve of the
contract, your negotiating team goes back to the drawing board.
|
|
|
|
How
long do contracts last?
|
Usually 3 to 5 years.
|
|
|
|
What are union dues?
What are they used for?
|
Union dues are the money you pay to the Local Union to help
pay for support staff, legal costs, negotiation costs,
arbitrator's fees, etc.
See Facts About
Dues.
|
|
|
|
What’s
a “Local Union”?
|
The Teamsters have a structure that includes a national body,
intermediaries, and local unions. Most decisions are made at the
state and local union level.
See Teamster
Structure.
|
|
|
|
So
what does the “International” do?
|
The International's responsibilities include; lobbying Congress
for laws that benefit workers, sending help to Local Unions that
need it and coordinating national organizing efforts.
|
|
|
|
How
democratic is the Teamsters Union?
|
The whole process is open
and democratic. You decide if you want to sign an authorization
card. You decide whether to vote "yes" on joining the
union. You decide which co-workers you want on your negotiating
team. You decide what you want in a contract. You vote on the
contract once it's negotiated. You vote on who will be your shop
steward. You even get the opportunity to vote on who the officers
of your Local and International Union as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
-
|
|
click here for more information on
your rights to organize |
|
|
|
