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The Q&A's here were
taken directly from the TWU website.
If you have any more questions,
please submit feedback to us
and we will get them answered.
Organizing
Q&A on TWU
Who
Does TWU Represent?
The Transport workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, represents more than
135,000 workers in the nation's transportation and allied industries. We've been
at it for 70 years. We represent thousands of workers doing exactly the same job
as you. But there is a difference. TWU members earn high Union wages and
benefits. Wherever TWU members work, they earn the highest or among the highest
wages in their particular industry.
Why Join TWU?
Non-union workers today have little or no say over their wages and benefits.
Nor do they have input into what goes on in their workplace. They watch as
management awards themselves high salaries, unending perks and golden
parachutes, while those who actually make the company successful, the workers,
see their wages and benefits stagnate or reduced. With TWU, this will change.
You will have a real say over your own destiny and the future of your company.
Will I Have Job Security?
All TWU members enjoy outstanding job security. TWU contracts include strong
grievance and arbitration language that protects your rights on the job. With
TWU behind you, you will no longer have to worry about the boss harassing or
disciplining you on the job without cause. In today's ever-changing job market,
nothing is more important than a good job with real job security.
Real Union Democracy!
TWU is a democratic trade Union, affiliated with the national AFL-CIO. TWU
is made up of Local Unions which are accountable to their members. That means
every member has the right to run for Local office and to vote for Local Union
officers. With aid and assistance of experienced TWU national officers, TWU
members negotiate their own contracts through a local negotiating committee of
their own choice. Each contract must be ratified by the membership before it
goes into effect.
Representation Elections Under the
National Labor Relations Act
Q. Who will conduct the
election?
A. An agent of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Q. Who determines what group of workers are included?
A. The NLRB based on the petition submitted by the Union.
Q. How is the election conducted
A. By secret ballot.
Q. Where is the election held
A. In most cases on the employer’s premises.
Q. When?
A. During working hours
Q. Who are eligible
A. Employees on the payroll immediately proceeding the election.
Negotiations
Q. Who will negotiate the Labor contract?
A. The Local Union will establish its own negotiating committee which will be
supported by TWU officials and staff. Only the Local committee members vote. The
International has a voice but no vote.
Q. Do the members have a say in contract proposals?
A. Yes, members may submit proposals.
Q. Will we vote on the contract?
A. Yes, any contract must be voted on (ratified) by the members.
Q. Who will cover the cost of the initial negotiations?
A. The full cost of negotiating the initial contract, including committee lost
time, expenses, research, etc will be paid by the International Union.
Union Dues
Q. What are the TWU Union dues?
A. Two times the member’s hourly rate of pay per month (excluding overtime and
shift differential).
Q. When would dues payment begin?
A. Dues do not begin until a contract is negotiated and ratified by the members.
(Will not be retroactive)
Q. Where do the dues go?
A. 70% of the dues go to the Local Union and 30% to the International Union.
Q. What are the dues money used for?
A. All Union dues are used to pay the expenses of administering the Union such
as legal fees, arbitration, research, office clerical expenses, telephones, loss
time, etc.
Q. Will we ever have to pay an initiation fee?
A. No employees employed at the time of the election will have to pay an
initiation fee.
Q. Will we know how the dues are spent?
A. Your Local will issue a monthly financial report and the International issues
a semi- annual independent auditor’s report to the Locals.
Union Structure
Q. How is TWU structured?
A. TWU is made up of autonomous Local Unions which account to their members and
are supported by the International Union through Divisions: Airline, Transit and
Railroads.
Q. Will we have our own Local Union?
A. TWU will either charter a new Local for the group or will place the group in
an established TWU Local union.
Q Who will be the officers of the Local?
A. Only members of the Local will be eligible to run for or hold Local office.
Q What are the Local Officers?
A. The officers of the Local union shall be President, one or more Vice
Presidents as the Local by-laws may provide, a Recording Secretary and a
Financial Secretary Treasurer.
Q. Will we have our own Local By-laws?
A. Yes, Local By-laws subject to membership approval will be established.
Q. Will TWU train our officers?
A. Yes, our training department will provide training to all new officers.
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