Ironworkers Rights
Company owners will try everything to stop workers from unionizing.
Here’s what they cannot do to you as a worker:
Action #1:
Attend any union meeting, park across the street from the hall, or engage in any undercover activity which would indicate that the employees are being kept under surveillance to determine who is and who is not participating in the union program.
Action #2:
Tell employees that the company will fire or punish them if they engage in union activity.
Action #3:
Lay off, discharge, discipline any employees for union activity.
Action #4:
Grant employees wage increases, special concessions or benefits in order to keep the union out.
Action #5:
Bar employee-union representatives from soliciting employees’ memberships on or off the company property during non-waking hours.
Action #6:
Ask employees about union matters, meetings, etc. (Some employees may, of their own accord, walk up and tell of such matters. It is not an unfair labor practice to listen, but to ask questions to obtain additional information is illegal).
Action #7:
Ask employees what they think about the union or a union representative once the employee refuses to discuss it.
Action #8:
Ask employees how they intend to vote.
Action #9:
Threaten employees with reprisal for participating in union activities. For example, threaten to move that plant or close the business, curtail operations or reduce employees’ benefits.
Action #10:
Promise benefits to employees if they reject the union.
Action #11:
Give financial support or other assistance to a union.
Action #12:
Announce that the company will not deal with the union.
Action #13:
Threaten to close, in fact close, or move plant in order to avoid dealing with a union.
Action #14:
Ask employees whether or not they belong to a union, or have signed up for union representation.
Action #15:
Ask an employee, during the hiring interview, about his affiliation with a labor organization or how he feels about unions.
Action #16:
Make anti-union statements or act in a way that might show preference for a non-union man.
Action #17:
Make distinctions between union and non-union employees when signing overtime work or desirable work.
Action #18:
Purposely team up non-union men and keep them apart from those supporting the union.
Action #19:
Transfer workers on the basis of union affiliations or activities.
Action #20:
Choose employees to be laid off in order to weaken the union’s strength or discourage membership in the union.
Action #21:
Discriminate against union people when disciplining employees.
Action #22:
By nature of work assignments, create conditions intended to get rid of an employee because of his union activity.
Action #23:
Fail to grant a scheduled benefit or wage increase because of union activity.
Action #24:
Deviate from company policy for the purpose of getting rid of a union supporter.
Action #25:
Take action that adversely affects an employee’s job or pay rate because of union activity.
Action #26:
Threaten workers or coerce them in an attempt to influence their vote.
Action #27:
Threaten a union member through a third party.
Action #28:
Promise employees a reward or future benefit if they desire “no union”.
Action #29:
Tell employees overtime work (and premium pay) will be discontinued if the plant is unionized.
Action #30:
Say unionization will force the company to lay off employees.
Action #31:
Say unionization will do away with vacations or other benefits and privileges presently in effect.
Action #32:
Promise employees promotions raises or other benefits if they get out of the union or refrain from joining the union.
Action #33:
Start a petition or circular against the union or encourage or take part in its circulation if started by employees.
Action #34:
Urge employees to try to induce others to oppose the union or keep out of it.
Action #35:
Action #35: Visit the homes of employees to urge them to reject the union.
Enforcing Your Rights
Some employers try to prevent the workers from joining a union.
The best way to encourage your employer 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 – backed up by the federal courts – 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.
Do not let your employer violate your rights and get away with it.
If your employer has done anything on the list above, contact an organizer. You may be protected.