Unions are a voice.
PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CONCERNS often get together to talk and look for
answers. That is exactly what
a union is all about. It is people . . . coming together, voicing their
mutual concerns. By saying "Union Yes", they make life better on
the job, for their families . . . and for the whole community.
Unions are families.
OUR FAMILIES ARE SHAPING OUR OWN lives and our nation's life.
The working people in unions want to be sure the family remains
vital. with the changes in today's economy, that can be tough. but
today's unions are searching for new ways to adjust the challenges affecting all
members of the family .
. . with ideas like affordable child care, help for senior citizens and family
medical leave for emergencies.
By working together to see these ideas become realities, union people are
helping to overcome the changes facing the family.
Unions are working people.
OVER THE YEARS, THEY HAVE MADE THIS country great, bringing prosperity and
growth.
 From actors to truck drivers to teachers to woodworkers, they have worked
to make life better on the job through their unions. Today they are
working to make sure that their workplaces are safe and secure as well.
Safety. In today's modern workplace, it means having the
right to know what hazards exist and what precautions should be taken.
Security. With today's economic changes, it means having a
voice on issues that will affect an industry and a worker's future.
It is not too much to ask for . . . just a common sense approach to safety
and security.
Unions are solidarity.
WE HAVE ALL HEARD A LOT ABOUT PLACES where personal freedoms have been
limited. Using our  personal freedom - speaking out and voicing concerns -
is what trade unionism is all about, whether it is in Poland, south Africa or in
our own back yard.
In places where freedom is budding, unions are there, fighting to make
freedom blossom. And, whether it is Solidarnosec or AFL-CIO, when working
people join forces to voice their concerns, they are heard.
The cost of non-union dues.
The cost to employees to remain non-union continues to climb.
Union workers are now making about 30% more than their non-union counterparts.
Also, rapidly increasing health insurance costs are much easier to pass on to non-union workers who lack collective bargaining
rights. The best example of
non-union dues comes when you look at all the compensation, benefits, promotion
criteria, job protection, hours and other provisions that are guaranteed by a
union contract. Non-union workers are employees-at-will who have no guarantees
and can be fired without cause. Employers often try to avoid the issue of
non-union dues by claiming that the Union cannot guarantee you anything in
negotiations. The truth is, without a union contract, nothing you currently
have is guaranteed! In fact, because you are non-union the boss could lower
your pay or fire you tomorrow without having to show just cause.
That is what we mean when we say . . . .
For help and information on joining a union call or
e-mail
Mark Maierle at:
Milwaukee
Office: (414) 671-0317
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INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING
ENGINEERS