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WHY ORGANIZE
F A Q
The following Questions and Answers may help you decide if joining or
forming a union is right for you.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MACHINISTS UNION
Q. Who are the members of the
Machinists Union?
A. Over a half million men and women who
work in more than 350 job classifications or industries, as defined by
the U.S. Department of Labor, in the commercial, manufacturing,
non-manufacturing, private, public, Federal, state and local
government sectors of our nation,s economy. They live in all 50
states, the District of Columbia, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the 10
provinces of Canada. Although the Machinists Union began as a railroad
union in 1888, today it has one of the most diversified memberships of
any organization of its kind.
Q. What are some major industries employing IAM
members?
A. Aerospace, air transport and auto
repair are three industries where the Machinists Union is the largest,
or among the largest, unions representing employees. They work in
occupations ranging from front office, computer, clerical, medical and
technical positions all the way to the shop floor as tool and die
makers, machinists, production, maintenance and security jobs.
Machinist Union members are also employed in metal products
manufacturing facilities, on the railroads, in the Federal, state and
local government, and in design, construction, repair, support, and
maintenance work in an almost endless variety of skills and
occupational endeavors.
Q. Are most Machinists Union members actually
machinists?
A. No. Originally, Machinists Union
members were all skilled craftsmen. Today, however, the union's
membership includes, professional, office, clerical, computer,
technical, and medical employees, as well as journeymen and apprentice
craftpersons, helpers, production, maintenance and specialists of all
kinds. Membership includes women and workers from nearly all racial,
ethnic, and religious groups.
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THE LAW
THE LAW - SAYS YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO JOIN A UNION
THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT SAYS:
Section 7:
"Employees shall have the right to self
organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain
collectively through representation of their own choosing, and to
engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective
bargaining . . . "
Section 8(a):
"It shall be an unfair labor practice for an
employer . . . to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the
exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7 . . . "
YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
You have the legal right under Section 7 of the
National Labor Relations Act to join or support a union and to:
1. Attend meetings to discuss joining a union.
2. Read, distribute, and discuss union literature
(as long as you do this in non-work areas, such as break rooms or
parking lots, during non-work times, such as during breaks or lunch
hours.)
3. Wear union buttons, T-shirts, stickers, hats, or
other items on the job.
4. Sign a petition or card asking your employer to
recognize and bargain with the union.
5. Sign petitions or file grievances related to
wages, hours, working conditions, and other job issues.
6. Ask other employees to support the union, to
sign union petitions or cards, or to file grievances.
PROTECTION FROM EMPLOYER ACTION
Under Section 8 of the National Labor Relations
Act, your employer cannot legally punish or discriminate against any
worker because of union activity.
For example, your employer cannot legally do
the following:
- Threaten to or actually fire, lay off,
discipline, harass, transfer, or reassign employees because they
support the union.
- Shut down the work site or take away any benefits
or privileges employees already enjoy in order to discourage union
activity.
- Promise employees a pay increase, promotion,
benefit, or special favor if they oppose the union.
- Favor employees who don’t support the union over
those who do in promotions, job assignments, wages, hours, enforcement
of rules, or any other working condition.
ENFORCING YOUR RIGHTS
Some employers try to prevent the workers from
joining a union.
The best way to encourage your employer to
recognize your union and negotiate a fair contract is to build a
strong organization where you work.
If your employer violates the law, the union can
help you file "unfair labor practice" charges with the National Labor
Relations Board.
The Labor Board has the power - backed up by the
federal courts - to order an employer to stop interfering with
employee rights, to provide back pay, and to reverse any action taken
against workers for union activity.
YOU CAN HELP PROTECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS BY:
- Keep written notes of any incidents in
which company officials or supervisors threaten, harass, or punish
workers because of union activity. Your notes don’t have to be worded
a certain way, but you should include what was said or done, who was
involved, where and when it happened, and the names of any witnesses.
- Immediately report any such incidents to
your organizing committee and the union staff.
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To send this form
by postal mail or to contact IAM District 165 by mail please write to:
Main Office
1903 4th Street North
St. Cloud, MN 56303
Or Telephone
Phone: 1-320-252-4654 or
1-800-258-3735
Or Fax
320-252-1002
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