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IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE UTILITY WORKERS UNION GO TO THE TOP...ITS MEMBERS
Devoted to our efforts to further unionize our industry, we will provide updates, forms, procedures, and advice to mobilize and to co-ordinate all locals, and internal site links to enlighten future members to join UWUA.
"LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY UNION…"
"I’m proud to belong to a union that for 50 years has been improving wages, benefits and working conditions. Did you know we were among the first unions to have pensions? And medical and dental and vision care for ourselves and our families. Sure thing, and that’s just the beginning of what our union is all about. We do it all. You name it, we got it. And believe me, we are the union!"
"Let me and some of my friends tell you about the Utility Workers Union. There are labor experts and politicians and other big shots who can give you all the official stuff on why the union has such a good rep and what they’ve accomplished over the past fifty years…But the union is more than that to me…it’s family."
CONTRACTS WON BY THE UTILITY WORKERS UNION INCLUDE THESE GAINS:
- Protection of employees with medical restrictions who are unable to perform their regular work.
- Guaranteed promotional programs and wage progression plans to move new employees up quickly to the higher titles.
- Wage increases that have kept workers ahead of inflation.
- Hospitalization, doctor, dental, vision care, and disability plans for the protection of our members and their families.
- Closely-monitored safety programs on the job.
- Pension plans paid by the employer, and savings plans with matching contributions from the employer, which rank these plans among the best in the country.
- Ironclad contract provisions against discrimination and harassment.
- Premium pay for shift work, holidays, weekends, and overtime with paid sick leave, vacations and holidays.
* Job security and a seniority system.
- Grievance procedure and arbitration to enforce your rights gained in the contract.
WAGES:
"There’s no way I can negotiate on my own to get better wages and benefits. I need a union to do that, for me and my co-workers."
STRENGTH:
"Everyone who works for a living needs a union. Blue-collar, white-collar, pink-collar, the only way to have a future you can count on is to bargain from strength, to have all promises and commitments put in writing in a union contract…"
TIES THAT BIND:
"We come in all colors and religions and job descriptions. There’s one common bond: a union contract."
SECURITY:
"Job security, a good standard of living, and dignity, go hand-in-hand with unionism…"
SOLIDARITY:
"Unionism is a common bond which draws workers closer together. When management sees we’re united, they’re less likely to take arbitrary action against an individual within the group. It’s job protection at its best."
LEADERSHIP:
"A great thing about our union is that each local does its own thing. We make our own decisions. When we need help, we call on our national leaders, Donald E Wightman, who’s our president, and Gary Ruffne. He’s the Secretary Treasurer. You know what I like about those guys, other than they’re smart? They came up out of the ranks. They know utilities because they worked utilities. They aren’t bureaucrats. They’re us. Marshall Hicks worked with Consumers Power in Michigan for 15 years, and Walsh, he was with Con Ed in New York for 18 years. When we’ve got a problem, they know what we’re talking about. They’ve been there…"
GRIEVANCES:
"It’s a good feeling to know you can call a shop steward or a union officer to help with problems that arise on the job. The grievance procedure is my guarantee that management can’t ignore my problems…"
SAFETY:
"I’m real proud of the Utility Workers Union for the outstanding safety programs they’ve established. That means a lot to me – and my family."
GROWTH:
"My union provides me with every opportunity to participate and express my views at regular and special membership meetings. Members are encouraged to seek leadership positions by joining committees, becoming shop stewards and running for elective office. This participation builds confidence in your own abilities…"
EQUALITY:
"In the Utility Workers Union everyone is treated as an equal, with no favoritism, no discrimination because of race, creed or sex. I like belonging to an organization where you hear people call each other Brother or Sister…"
INFORMED:
"The union newspaper keeps me aware of what’s going on, and that includes legislation that’s important to working people…"
SUPPORT:
"Take my word for it – I’m an independent cuss, but I know a union is the only way I’ll get a fair shake on the job."
Contract Negotiations: An experienced team of highly-skilled negotiators from the National Union assists the Local Union Officers in all phases of collective bargaining.
Training and Education: The Utility Workers Union provides training and education courses for Local Union Leadership and members throughout the country. Courses are conducted in conjunction with Labor Relations Specialists from nearby Universities. College Scholarships are also provided to children of Utility Workers Union Members.
RESEARCH:
Local Union Negotiating Committees are provided with current economic data on contract settlements in our own and related industries so that our committees are fully prepared to support their contract demands and convincingly oppose any arguments advanced by Management.
PROVIDING INFORMATION TO YOU:
Each active and retired Member receives a copy of our publication, the "Light," updating him/her on newsworthy happenings in the Locals, contract settlements, safety information, and legislation affecting workers and their families.
LEGISLATIVE TEAMWORK:
The Utility Workers Union is headquartered at the AFL-CIO Building, in Washington, D.C., where we have a close-working relationship with the professional staff, Legislative Committee and leadership of the AFL-CIO. Networking gives us additional leverage when supporting the passage of legislation beneficial to workers and opposing legislation which is harmful. We maintain the same ties with AFL-CIO State and City Central Labor Councils where our Members work and live. This unity enhances the strength of our Membership.
A SAFE PLACE TO WORK:
Uppermost on the list of priorities is collective bargaining for contract clauses that minimize or eliminate dangers to health and safety in the workplace.
YOUR LEGAL RIGHT
TO JOIN THE UTILITY WORKERS UNION
IS PROTECTED BY
THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
An employer violates the law if he threatens any retaliation against you for exercising your right to join a Union. The Government guarantees that right and the Union assures that right through proceedings at the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Courts whenever the employer disobeys the law.
As soon as you have selected us as your bargaining representative, a Local Union will be established and you will elect your own Officers. With that accomplished, your Local and National Union Officers will meet with Company officials to start collective bargaining on a contract for improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions. This contract can only become a legally-binding instrument after the members have voted to accept it. Thereafter, it becomes the "economic Bible" of the workplace.
TEAM UP WITH THE UTILITY WORKERS UNION AND IMIPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR YOURSELF AND FAMILY
If there is no Union at your workplace or if there is a so-called "independent" association of employees not joined to the AFL-CIO, call Toll Free the Utility Workers Union Organizing Department at (888) 843-8982 , 815 Sixteenth Street, NW, #605, Washington, DC 20006.
If the Utility Workers Union represents some of the employees at your Company, and now you and other non-Union employees wish to join us, please contact the UWUA Local Union Officer, or the National Union at the above address. Join with us for a better life!
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Bob Hauser,
International Organizer
Call Me, Toll Free:
(888) THE-UWUA (888) 843-8982 |
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