THE LAW SAYS YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO JOIN A UNION
YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
SECTION 7 of the National Labor Relations Act says you have the Legal Right:
1. To join and support a Union.
2. To sign a card asking the Company to recognize and bargain with the Union.
3. To attend Union meetings.
4. To read, distribute and discuss Union literature during non-work time, in non-work areas such as breaktime or lunchtime.
5. To sign petitions or file grievances conconcerning wages, hours, working conditions andother job related issues.
PROTECTION FROM COMPANY ACTION
SECTION 8 of the National Labor Relations Act says that it is illegal for your Company:
l. To take away or even threaten to take away any benefits which you already have because you support the Union.
2. To threaten to close the plant if employees select the Union to represent you.
3. To announce that the Company will not deal with the Union if a majority of the employees vote for Union Representation.
4. To say that unionization will do away with vacations or other benefits and privileges presently in effect.
5. To say that unionization will force the Company to lay off employees.
6. To ask you how you intend to vote in the Secret Ballot Election.
7. To refuse to negotiate a contract in "good faith" in an attempt to reach a settlement with your Union."Good Faith Bargaining"
After the Operating Engineers election victory is officially certified by the National Labor Relations Board,
the Company is legally required to negotiate in "good faith" with your Union on a written contract covering wages, hours, benefits and other working conditions.
ENFORCING YOUR RIGHTS
Some Companies try to prevent workers from joining a Union.
The best way to encourage your Company to recognize your Union and negotiate a fair contract is to build a strong organization where you work.
If the Company 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 a Company to stop interfering with employee rights, to provide back pay, and to re-verse any action taken against workers for Union activity.
You Can 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 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 selforganization, 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 guaranteedin Section 7 ..."
Contact Mack Bennett, Business Manager, at one of the numbers listed below, or E -Mail us at. Local178@flash.net
Phone: 1 (800) 633-6028
(817) 284-1191
