If you’ve never been a part of a union, you may not know what one is, or how one works. Basically, a union is an organized group of workers who come together to pool their resources (time, money, brain power, experience, creativity, etc.) to help themselves and their colleagues win things like respect on the job, better wages,
enviable benefits, and the best working conditions possible.

A union helps level the playing field between you and your employer and, at the same time, gives you a voice in your workplace. With a union on your side, you’ll never be alone. Suppose, for example, you have a specific problem with management. Would you rather deal with it alone, as you’d have to in a non-union workplace, or with the support of all of your fellow union members?

Academy Award winners Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon and Matt Damon Spacey don’t think so. Neither did world-renowned physicist Albert Einstein. These are just a handful of the artists, scientists, journalists, educators, and others who have been at the top of their professions and have strongly supported their unions. Union member professionals also include teachers, doctors, lawyers, college professors, nurses, TV broadcasters, and librarians.

YES. And here’s why:

If you haven’t signed a card, you’re not yet a full member of the union. Instead, you’re known as a “Fee Payer”. Although Fee Payers are automatically covered by the IBEW collective agreement for their particular group, they do not get to enjoy the privileges of a full membership. By signing a union card you’re eligible to:

• Vote on contracts and other matters

• Vote for leaders

• Run for elected positions

• Serve in leadership positions

• Sit on committees and negotiating teams

• Address the Executive Board

• Make motions and vote at union meetings

• Attend union sponsored training

• Apply for union scholarships & bursaries

• Receive benevolent support

• Receive special union communications

• Receive retirement recognition
• Attend IBEW conferences

We certainly hope not. The main goal of having a union in the workplace is to negotiate fair working conditions and rules for everyone. Neither management, nor the union want to get in a fight. And it’s worth noting that over 98% of collective agreements in Canada are negotiated without a work stoppage.

The decision to go on strike is a very serious one and occurs only when workers feel they must take dramatic action to protect their rights, wages, and benefits. IBEW Local 37 has gone over 35 years without a strike. We attribute this to the healthy relationship and mutual respect we share with our employers. Members only go on strike if they vote overwhelmingly to do so. The decision about what to fight for, and how hard to fight, is always up to the union members.

Unions protect workers from arbitrary employer actions relating to discipline and dismissals. For example, with a union you don’t have to fear retaliation when you speak out about problems on the job. And through your collective agreement you can cut out favouritism, challenge unfair discipline, and make sure a fair approach is taken in the event of layoffs, promotions, transfers, and other decisions.

The biggest difference that separates unionized employees from non-union employees is having a collective agreement. Unions negotiate meaningful contracts that give unionized workers legally binding guarantees covering wages, benefits, rights and protections that aren’t available to other workers.

Collective agreement specifics will vary from one workplace or employer, to the next, but generally they include provisions on:

• Wages, hours and benefits

• Seniority

• Health and safety

• Dues collection

• Non-discrimination

• Grievance procedures

• Contract length
• Discipline

That’s a big one to answer. For starters, you have the right to be treated fairly in the workplace. You have the right to be respected by your employer. And you have the right to be paid appropriately for the work you do.

Those rights are laid out in your collective agreement. Notice the biggest word on the cover of your agreement is “Collective”. That’s intentional because it’s a deal worked out collectively between your union and your employer.

Please let us know of any necessary changes that need to be made to your contact information. You can contact the IBEW 37 office info@ibew37.com