TEAMSTERS LOCAL 52
Affiliated With International Brotherhood of Teamsters & Teamsters Joint Council 41

November 23, 2024

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The Union Difference

The Union Difference

Union Non-Union
Contract A legal document that guarantees wages, benefits and other conditions of employment. Voted on by Union employees. No contract. An employee handbook containing policies and benefits can be changed at any time by employer. Nothing is guaranteed
Wages Negotiated by elected committee and union staff. Union wages average significantly higher. Employer arbitrarily sets wages. The law only requires payment of minimum wage.
Seniority Years of Service are rewarded. Used to determine wages, vacation/holiday and shift scheduling, overtime assignments, lay-off procedure and job bidding. Seniority can be ignored.
Discipline For just cause only, following fair process. YOU'RE FIRED!
Grievances Contract sets a structured procedure to handle disputes in the workplace that are in violation of the contract. Employer may provide "open door" policy to discuss disputes, but has final say.
Arbitration Contract provides for arbitration of grievances, when appropriate, at the Union's expense. Any legal action brought by an employee against employer must be paid for by worker.
Health/Welfare/Pension Benefits negotiated by Union, most often include employer-paid premium contributions. Not required under law. Employer may change plan at any time.
Vacations Paid vacation negotiated according to seniority. Given, paid or unpaid at employer's whim.
Holidays Negotiated by Union to include holidays as well as personal days off. Typically, working a holiday means double time. Employer may or may not chose to observe certain holidays. May or may not pay extra.
Sick Leave Paid sick leave or short term disability. Up to employer. Policy may be changed.
Leave of Absence/Parental Leave Negotiated leaves which go beyond laws, with return to work guarantees. Employer must grant only those leaves required by law.
Shift Premium Hourly bonus paid to night shift employees. None required. Employer may or may not pay.
Dues Small portion of entire wages and benefits paid to Union for effective representation and voice. No dues - no rights! (The best things in life aren't free!).
Protection Language that protects Union members in case of sale, merger, takeover or closing of business. NONE.
Respect and Dignity Through the Union, workers can be treated like adults, involved in decisions which affect them and are then able to provide quality care. How you are treated on the job should not depend on the personality of management.

Union Advantage

Oct 03, 2008

Union workers earn higher wages and get more benefits than workers who don't have a voice on the job with a Union.

Union workers median weekly earnings
Nonunion workers median weekly earnings
Union wage advantage
$863.00
$663.00
30%
Union women's median weekly earnings
Nonunion women's median weekly earnings
Union wage advantage for women
$790.00
$592.00
33%
African American union workers median weekly earnings
African American nonunion workers median weekly earnings
Union wage advantage for African Americans
$732.00
$533.00
37%
Latino union workers median weekly earnings
Latino nonunion workers median weekly earnings
Union wage advantage for Latinos
$736.00
$487.00
51%
Asian American union workers median weekly earnings
Asian American nonunion workers median weekly earnings
Union wage advantage for Asian Americans
$853.00
$823.00
4%
Union workers covered by employer provided Health Insurance
Nonunion workers covered by employer provided Health Insurance
Union Health Insurance advantage
78%
49%
59%
Union workers without Health Insurance Coverage
Nonunion workers without Health Insurance Coverage
Nonunion workers are five times more likely to lack Heath Insurance Coverage
2.5%
15%

Union workers covered by guaranteed (defined-benefit) Pensions
Nonunion workers covered by guaranteed (defined-benefit) Pensions
Union Pension advantage
67%
15%
347%
Union workers with short-term disability benefits
Nonunion workers with short-term disability benefits
Union short-term disability benefits advantage
60%
35%
71%
Union workers average days of paid vacation
Nonunion workers average days of paid vacation
Union paid vacation advantage
15 days
11.75 days
28%

Where would you stand if your place of Employment was Nonunion?

Employers report to Stockholders that only care about Profits

At Will Employees

Oct 05, 2008

The Meaning of

“At Will Employees”

Will I be fairly compensated for my skills?
Will I be honored for my Seniority?
Will I be Disciplined or Terminated for unjust causes?
Will I be able to voice my opinion about disputes at the workplace?
Will I have Health Care or a Pension?
Will I have Paid Vacation Time?
Will I have Paid Holidays?
Will I have Paid Sick Days?
Will I be protected in case of sale, merger, takeover or closing of business?
Being "At Will" means your at the Mercy of the Employer, keep his Profit Margin high enough and he "Will" let you work

Most of the top CEO’s of Business have Contracts that outline their compensation packages, most have Golden Parachute clauses that pay them when a Business is sold or closed. All have Attorneys that look out for their best interests.

Then why is it so bad when the average employee wants the same thing?

VOTE UNION!

Page Last Updated: Oct 03, 2008 (16:24:00)