Organizing

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We, at District Lodge 26, would like to thank you for choosing us to represent you in organizing your place of work. We believe that all people from all types of work places deserve the right to have union representation on the job. We are proud that you have chosen to take this important step with us. A step that will pay off with better benefits, wages and working conditions. We believe that you have the RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION.

Although we are here to assist and support you in your new venture, please keep in mind that it is all up to YOU and your co-workers to make your organizing campaign successful. After all, you are the ones who know the issues that have either impaired you to do your job or have stripped away the dignity and respect that you deserve.

For more information, please e-mail us at Organizer@IAMDistrict26.org or phone us with information by leaving your name, phone# or e-mail address. Our toll free CT phone# is (860-828-0359).

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:

Attend meetings to discuss joining a union.

Read, distribute, and discuss union literature (as long as you do this in non-work areas during non-work times, such as during breaks or lunch hours.)

Wear union buttons, T-shirts, stickers, hats, or other items on the job.

Sign a card asking your employer to recognize and bargain with the union

Sign petitions or file grievances related to wages, hours, working conditions, and other job issues.

Ask other employees to support the union, to sign union cards or petitions, or to file grievances.

Secret Ballot Elections
To establish a union in a workplace, a majority of employees must express support for the union. In most situations, the employees prove majority support through a secret-ballot election National Labor Relations Board.

"Good Faith" Bargaining
After the union's election victory is officially certified by the National Labor Relations Board, your employer is legally required to negotiate in "good faith" with the union on a written contract covering wages, hours, and other working conditions.

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.

•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.

•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.

Enforcing Your Rights

Some employers try to prevent the workers from joining a union. The best way to encourage your employers 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 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:
•Keeping written notes of any incidents in which company officials or supervisors threaten, harass, or punish workers because of union activity.
•Immediately reporting any such incidents to your organizing committee and the union staff.

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.

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 . . ."

Here are some interesting quotes from some interesting people-

(These quotes were posted on Linda Dumers Bulletin Board at the CT State Council of Machinists office) "Thank you Linda for sharing these with us"

Senator Orrin Hatch, (R-Utah)-
" We need unions to level the field between labor and management. If you didn't have unions, it would be very difficult for even enlightened employers not to take advantage of workers on wages and working conditions...I'm among the first to say I believe in unions."

Former President Dwight Eisenhower-
"Only a handful of reactionaries harbor the ugly thought of breaking unions...only a fool would deprive working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice."

Former President Lincoln-(from a speech in Hartford, CT, March 5, 1860)
" I thank God we have a system of labor where there can be a strike. Whatever the pressure, there is a point the working man may stop"

Martin Luther King, Jr.-
" The two most dynamic and cohesive liberal forces in the country are the Labor Movement and The negro Freedom Movement."

Unknown- "Unions, The folks that brought you the weekend!"

"Organize Today For A Better Tomorrow"

Please contact us toll free at:
1-877-828-0359

We are: Machinists, Production Workers, Tool-Makers, Submarine Builders, Health-Care Workers, Professional Employees 4000 member's strong!

This site was last updated 12/09/09