Management will try to stop us from having a voice, but
We are stronger together
Right now, management controls all the money and power for themselves. Once we form our union, management will have to share decision-making with us. This is a difficult change for management to accept, and so often they will try to stop us from forming our union. We must stay strong and unified and we will win a voice for better pay, improved working conditions and secure benefits.
WHEN THEY TRY TO STOP US FROM HAVING A VOICE, MANAGEMENT WILL:
Talk about dues and anything else to take our minds off our unsafe working conditions, low wages and unfair treatment. But we know dues are 2% of our base wages (not including OT or differentials), and we only start paying after we finish negotiating our first contract with guaranteed improvements.
Make promises, ask for a second chance and maybe improve our benefits, but any improvements management makes can be stripped away unless we win our union and will still leave us far behind what 1199SEIU members have guaranteed.
Tell us that forming a union won’t make a difference, but we know there’s a huge difference between what we have and what 1199SEIU members have guaranteed.
But time and time again, healthcare workers, including community-based care workers, have shown that when we stand together in courage and unity, management listens. More than 450,000 members have stayed strong and voted for 1199SEIU, and more join every year.
IS OUR EMPLOYER BREAKING THE LAW?
IT IS ILLEGAL to tell employees that the institution will fire or punish them if they engage in union activity.
IT IS ILLEGAL to layoff or discharge any employee for union activity.
IT IS ILLEGAL to grant employees wage increases or special concessions in order to keep the union out.
IT IS ILLEGAL to bar employee union representatives from soliciting members during nonworking hours.
IT IS ILLEGAL to ask employees about confidential union matters, meetings, etc.
IT IS ILLEGAL to by the nature of the work assignment, create conditions intended to get rid of an employee because of his/her union activity.
IT IS ILLEGAL to ask employees about the union or union representative.
IT IS ILLEGAL to ask employees how they intend to vote.
IT IS ILLEGAL to ask employees whether or not they belong to a union or have signed up for a union.
IT IS ILLEGAL to threaten workers or coerce them in an attempt to influence their vote.
IT IS ILLEGAL to tell employees that existing benefits will be discontinued if the institution
is unionized.
IT IS ILLEGAL to say unionization will force the employer to layoff workers.
IT IS ILLEGAL to say unionization will take away vacations or other benefits and privileges presently in effect.
IT IS ILLEGAL to promise employees promotions, raises or other benefits if they get out of the union.
Any of the above acts are against the law and constitute a violation of the National Labor Relations Act. We, as community-based care workers and supporters of the labor movement, should report these acts, if committed, to our union representative.
It is our legally protected right to speak out publicly and build support for our union. We can talk about our union and exchange information anywhere, anytime, as long as it does not interfere with client care. It is illegal for an employer or supervisor to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees seeking to organize or join a union.
DUES: COMBINING OUR RESOURCES TO WIN
Union Dues
✔️Dues are 2% of our base wages (not including OT or differentials), and are capped at $125 a month for our highest wage earners.
✔️We won’t pay dues until we negotiate our first contract and it is voted on and approved by the 1199 members at Upham’s Corner.
✔️There are no initiation fees for any employee hired before we vote for and ratify our first contract.
What do dues pay for?
Dues pay for the costs associated with improving our wages, benefits, job security, and working conditions, including:
✔️Experts that help bargain strong contracts.
✔️Growing our membership to increase our strength and protect our future.
✔️Our infrastructure: communications, research, legal, office and meeting space.
✔️Representation to protect our rights at work.
