Workplace Rights

Steward's Rights

A basic review of stewards rights in representing the members – and an overview of three legal protections.

Union Rights – Management Rights – Recognition Clause

The boss says "it's not in the contract ... it's not a grievance." He (or she) is probably wrong. Here's why.

Weingarten Rights

If a union member is called in to see the boss – and faces possible diciplinary action – he or she has a right to be represented by their UE steward. Every steward – and every union member – should know about this important at-work protection known as "Weingarten Rights."

Duty of Fair Representation

Member or non-member, pro- or anti-union, likeable or not – unions are required to represent every employee in a bargaining unit equally and in good faith. Here's what this legal idea means - and how to avoid a legal hassle by simply following basic UE principles ...

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Negotiations/Contract

A Look at Open Negotiations

Winning a good contract involves more than just the end result. How we get there is equally important. Here are some ideas on how to involve the members in negotiations, and in the process, prevent the boss from turning victory into defeat.

Mid Contract Bargaining Changes

Does it seem like management thinks it can change the contract whenever it wants? Here's what to do when the boss decides to make major changes outside of contract negotiations ... including a good listing of mandatory and permissive subjects of bargaining.

Numbers Crunching for Negotiations

An online (and printable) workshop designed to familiarize your negotiating committee with the basics of costing out a contract – plus some important facts you'll need to know! (Independent Connection)

Bargaining for Pay Equity

We know about equal pay for equal work, but what about equal pay for work of equal value? And who's to say whether one job is equal to another? We look at how to apply the principle of pay equity to different jobs.

Breaking in a New Boss

You've got a new boss who wants "things to be different." How different will they be? Here are some issues to consider involving both the legal aspects of what can – or can't – be changed, the reality of your workplace and what it will take to make sure respect for the members is preserved (or reestablished) ...

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Protecting Jobs

Saving Jobs In The Public Sector

Budget cutters are slashing public sector jobs at every opportunity. The result is often short staffing, stress, and overwork piled on to the membership. Here's some tips for fighting back.

Privatization Doesn't Pay!

There's hardly a public sector job these days that the privatizers aren't after. We reveal some myths about privatization and some ideas on how to defeat it.

Getting the Facts on Outsourcing and Privatization Cost

If your local is faced with outsourcing or privatization, here's what you need to know to fight back and convince the boss or public-sector decision-makers that they're wrong — union members do it better and, when the issue is looked at in detail, quite often cheaper.

Protecting Jobs, Union Wages and Benefits

The drive for ever-higher profits is leading to new combinations of outsourcing, subcontracting and privatization that translate into new threats to workers and jobs. Here's what's happening ... and some things union members can do.

Job Combinations

Faced with a management demand for job combinations at your workplace? Here's a look at the issues involved, what the union's bargaining committee needs to know and how union stewards play a critical role in protecting the members.

Management Schemes Part 1 – History

Under countless names (Kaizan, Work Out, ISO 9000, Just In Time, Win-Win Bargaining, Cell Manufacturing, Quality Circles and Team Concept, just to name a few), bosses are constantly trying to change our workplaces, often making working conditions miserable. Here's a short history and overview of the many management schemes, where they came from ... and some important considerations for the union (part one of three).

Management Schemes Part 2 – A Short Glossary of Terms

With such a bewildering array of management schemes, it's hard just keeping them straight. Here's a quick guide to what some of the most common ones actually mean (part two of three).

Management Schemes Part 3 – Putting Together a Plan

Management announces it's going to implement big changes in the work process. What now? Putting a plan together to defend ourselves is a must. Here's how (part three of three).

Alternatives to Layoffs

When times get tough, your local union may want to look into alternatives to layoffs. UE locals have used a variety of strategies to avoid (or, at least minimize the impact of) layoffs ...

Plant Closings (WARN and Warning Signs)

The WARN Act provides some (very) limited protections in the event of a plant closing – but often, early notice of warning signs may be far more important.

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Worker-Friendly Laws

Using ADA in the Workplace

A permanent disability might once have ended a work life. But, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), disabled workers can remain on the job or be hired for jobs that they would have never gotten before. As a union, the ADA gives us an opportunity, as well as an obligation, to represent workers in ways we couldn’t have in the past.

Military Service and Members' Rights

When UE members are called to active duty as members of the Military Reserve or National Guard, their jobs are protected under law. Here's how it works (what UE Stewards should know) as well as some bargaining tips for negotiating military leaves of absence.

Using the FMLA

It's the kind of problem most of us will face sooner or later: getting time off from work for urgent family matters? The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may provide the answer.

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Effective Local Unions

Building a Healthy Union – Checklist

Here's our short checklist of contract language and practices that are important to the health of any local union. Among the issues: the rights stewards and members have to conduct union business ... to our obligation to keep our members as involved and informed as possible ...

Getting "Free-Riders" to Push

We all know who they are: the folks we work with who won't join or support the union, but are all too happy to rake in the benefits we've won and the protections we provide. Here are some tips about working with the "free-riders" in your workplace ...

Welcoming New Employees Into the Union

The old saying "first impressions are the lasting ones" certainly holds true about how new employees will view the union in your workplace. Here's our guide on making a good impression and gaining new, active members. Includes tips on the rights of probationary employees and the use of temporary employees ...

Basic Tips on Running a Union Meeting

Tired of union meetings where everyone talks at once and nothing seems to get decided? Here's some tips on how to make meetings run smoother, accomplish more, and best of all, become more interesting and well attended!

Talking Union

Does the union really make a difference? You bet it does! We present some factual ammunition you can use, on the union advantage in wages and benefits.

Putting Out a Local Newsletter

Keeping the members informed is one of the basic elements necessary for building and maintaining strong and effective local unions. A local newsletter can play an important role in helping build good communication. Here are some tips on how to do it well ...

Getting Ready for a Fight

Your contract is expiring soon and there's trouble on the horizon. Here are some things to do to be sure our side is in fighting trim.

Dealing with the Media

If you want the public to know about and support your union's struggles – be it a strike, demonstration, or political action event – it's really important to know how to deal with and talk to the media – a point that's too often neglected. Here's how to do it effectively ...

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Grievance Handling

On the Job: Avoiding the Pitfalls

UE Stewards have a tough job. It can be a litte easier to do, however, if you keep in mind some of the most common stumbling blocks that can cause headaches for any steward.

Investigating Grievances

Some basic tips for conducting a good investigation.

Investigating Grievances – NLRA

Using the National Labor Relations Act to help represent your members (requesting information from management).

Information Requests

To represent the members, you need all the facts – including information the employer is obliged to provide. Make sure you know about this important legal right ...

Grievance Procedure – Step 1

The "how to's" of handling grievances at the first step (includes our Grievance Action Sheet in both English and Spanish) ...

Grievance Procedure – Step 2

When a grievance can't be settled informally, here's how to put it in writing and avoid the pitfalls that cause grievances to be lost because of missteps and omissions.

Whether or Not to Arbitrate

Despite our efforts to resolve grievances at the first step (backed-up by well-organized members – right?), sometimes we have little choice but to take a grievance to arbitration. Here's some of what you'll need to know to evaluate the strength of a possible arbitration case and what you'll need to do to prepare ...

Just Cause - Using the Seven Tests

Most contracts require an employer to have "just cause" to fire or discipline a worker – but what exactly is "just cause?" Here are seven tests for just cause ... and some additional tips ...

Winning Past Practice Grievances

One of the most powerful tools at a Steward's disposal in defending member's rights and working conditions is the concept of past practice. But you've got to know about it to use it!

Dealing with Difficult Situations

Every member has a right to the grievance procedure ... but how do stewards handle weak grievances, those that could undermine the union contract, and those situations where a worker is "morally right, but legally wrong?" Here are some suggestions ...

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Workplace Issues

Drug and Alcohol Testing

It's not necessary and often it's just downright hypocritical. Here's an overview of this issue, from bargaining issues to what's legally required to defending member's on the job ...

Dealing With New Technology

How do we respond to the numerous technological changes in the workplace? Here's some ideas you can use to preserve your working conditions and protect your members in the face of new technology.

Workplace Surveillance

Beware of workplace surveillance! What you can do to fight electronic surveillance at work.

Equal Distribution of Overtime

One of the most common complaints any steward hears – overtime – not enough, too much, unfairly distributed, you name it! Here are some tips on handling overtime grievances, and saving some of your valuable time (to say nothing of trouble) in the process!

Equal Work for Less Pay – Two Tier Wages

The boss wants lower rates for new hires. Should you care? Here's what you need to know about the dangers of two-tier systems, and some ideas on how to beat them.

Insubordination

We provide an explanation of just what "insubordination" is, when and how to say "no" to the boss, and how you can protect your members from discipline.

Making the Grade – Job Evaluation Schemes

How to protect your members from phony job evaluation schemes.

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Using Political Action

Using Political Action

Still think you can't fight city hall? Here's how to put some juice into your local's political action – and get results while you're at it.

The Attack on Pensions and Retirees Heats Up: GASB

We explain the strange world of accounting standards – and how they affect our negotiations on pension and retiree health benefits.

Health Savings Accounts

Anti-worker polticians are pushing Health Savings Accounts (HSA's) as the solution to the health care crisis. We have the scoop on why HSA's are a most unhealthy trap we need to avoid.

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Discrimination and Harassment

Stopping Racial Harassment

Racial harassment is a form of discrimination that no one should have to endure – especially a union member on the job. We have an obligation to protect, as well as improve, the working conditions of all our members – here's how.

Stopping Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is one of the leading forms of discrimination that women (and rarely, men) face. Here's what it means and what you can do as a steward when it happens.

Member to Member Harassment

As if the boss didn't cause enough trouble, we sometimes run into serious problems between our own members. We discuss some steps you can take in dealing with these sticky situations.

Workplace Bullies

Being the victim of a workplace bully is tough. Often the bully is a boss or supervisor, although the bully can be a co-worker too. Just as in other forms of workplace harassment, we have a responsibility to take action. Here's an overview of the problem and what you can do ...

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Health and Safety

Fatigue and Shift Work

Continuous production schemes and 12 hour shifts may be good for your employer, but not for you or your co-workers. At risk: your health, quality time with your family and friends, hard-won union gains and the unity of your local union ...

Physical Stress at Work

There's an epidemic of injuries called MSD's (musculoskeletal disorders), caused by overexertion and repetitive motion on the job. Here's a look at what MSD's are, and what to do about them.

Stress in the Workplace

A necessary evil? Stress in the workplace can certainly be evil – but it's hardly necessary, despite employer claims that "turning up the pressure" is necessary for business to remain competitive and profitable in today's economy. Here are the symptoms, costs and consequences of workplace stress ... and what your union can do about it.

When a Member Gets Hurt on the Job

Tens of thousands of workers are hurt on the job every day – here are some tips on how stewards can make sure that a member's health and rights are protected in the event of a workplace accident.

Body Mapping

Can't find where you're going? Well, consult a map of course! Using the same principle, we take a look at a good tool to help pinpoint the cause (or causes) of workplace ailments – body mapping.

Blame the Worker or Fix the Safety Hazard?

Rather than trying to create a safe and healthy workplace, many employers would rather blame workers for accidents and injuries. Their tactics include "behavior modification" schemes and pitting workers against workers. Here's what's (very) wrong with that thinking – and what the union should be doing to protect our members ...

Workplace Safety is Not a Game

Bosses use lots of gimmics and strategies to undermine health & safety at work ("Safety Bingo" anyone?). Here's why and what to do about it ...

Safety Hazards in the Office

Cumulative Trauma Disorders are on the rise among office workers – especially those doing data entry. UE vigilance can help minimize risk and maximize office safety.

Union Health and Safety Programs

How to make sure your union health and safety committee does its job effectively. Your life may depend on it!

Using OSHA in the Workplace

Here's what you need to know about OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Act): What it is, who's covered, using OSHA in grievances, getting information, filing an OSHA complaint and the right workers have to refuse unsafe work.

OSHA's VPP Program

Is OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) a useful safety tool or a potential management trap? Like any tool, it all depends on how you use it. Here's some tips on using VPP the right way.

How To Read a Safety Material Data Sheet

It looks like gobbledygook, but it doesn't have to be. Here's how to read an MSDS, and make use of it to protect your members.

Medical Information Requests and HIPPA

HIPPA is not a body part. It stands for the Health Insurance and Portability Accountability Act. Here's what you need to know about it, if you want to obtain necessary medical information.

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