What to know about being in a union
Like it or not, everyone who joins a union is stuck with whatever deal the union negotiates, even if the contract includes things you don't want, don't like, or don't benefit from!
You are paying, with any dues or agency fees, a union steward to speak to your manager on your behalf regarding working conditions, pay – including overtime – promotions, and how assignments may be assigned. The way you do work today may not be the way you do work in a union environment.
The union will use any dues or agency fees for their purposes – meaning they may spend them on causes or political candidates/philosophies you don’t believe in. They are advancing their business interests, not yours!
Need another bill? The union has that covered! Dues can be automatically taken from your paycheck through automatic payroll deduction if the parties agree to that in bargaining (which may also require a dues checkoff form before anything is deducted from your paycheck). It’s like paying another bill – money that you could spend on yourself or your loved ones!
Collective bargaining is the process of negotiating wages, hours and working conditions between an employer and a specific group of employees represented by a union. Through collective bargaining, employees may get less than, more than or the same as they have before collective bargaining. And, if the parties are unable to reach agreement through collective bargaining, it often leads to a strike or a lockout.
Unions cannot
- Guarantee a union contract
- Guarantee higher wages
- Guarantee better benefits
- Guarantee the reinstatement of former policies/practices
- Guarantee hours and schedules
- Guarantee employment
- Prevent layoffs
- Set job standards
Unions CAN negotiate and make proposals BUT there are no guarantees what the parties will actually agree to.
If you vote the union in, you will be stuck with them for at least a year, and possibly up to 3 or more years after that!
A company is not allowed to help employees who want to try and get rid of the union.
The union will fight hard to avoid the embarrassment and loss of dues if it’s kicked out.
So, your vote may be the last chance you get to decide on whether you want this union.
Unfortunately there’s no “money back guarantee” from the union if it gets in but you’re not satisfied with it.
Fort Worth Team,
Attached is the updated Notice of Election issued by the National Labor Relations Board regarding the upcoming secret ballot election. The time and place of the election is as follows:
Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Place: Lightening Conference Room
In the interim, we encourage you to continue to educate yourselves regarding the UAW and unionization, particularly how it could affect many aspects of your daily professional life, including your roles and responsibilities. We are here to answer any questions you might have and are committed to providing you with any information about the election process.
Please remember that the election outcome is determined by the employees who vote in the election. There is no process for absentee ballots. I encourage you all to participate – if you don’t vote, you will not have a voice in your future.
If you have questions, please contact your leadership or HR team, Jessica Trimble, or Stephanie Davenport.
Thank you for the part you play and the pride you take at Collins.
Michael Doerter
Director, Landing Gear Fort Worth
Landing Systems