The Union Difference

Union

Non-Union

A Voice
On the Job

Only union members enjoy the legal right to have a say and help drive workplace decisions.

Wages

Pay rates are negotiated to ensure all employees are being paid fairly and these rates are protected in the union contract. Seniority is recognized.

Benefits

Benefits are negotiated and protected by the contract. Changes can only be made with employee approval.

Promotions &
Hiring Practices

Promotions and job offers are awarded according to the process agreed to in the union contract.

Unfair Treatment &
Job Protection

Employees have a way of challenging unfair or questionable treatment with support and representation from their union. If parties cannot agree, just cause standards are applied with binding arbitration.

Working Conditions

Schedules, vacations, workload, subcontracting, work standards, layoff procedures, and hours of work are all agreed to between workers and the employer and protected in the contract.

Protections &
Guarantees

Only union workers enjoy a legally-binding written agreement with their employer that defines, protects, and guarantees all terms of employment.

Management has exclusive control and decision making power.

Management decides what is fair pay and can base any raises on business needs, favoritism, or anything else.

Benefits can be taken away or changed at any time.

Promotions and job offers are entirely up to management’s discretion.

Employees are on their own. Any grievance process gives management the last word.

Management decides what working conditions are best for employees.

Nonunion workers have no guarantees and no protections.

Employees joining to form a union can pull their ideas and concerns together in a unified voice with far more power than speaking alone. As a union member, you gain the right to negotiate with your employer as an equal and bargain over wages, benefits, retirement, employer policies, schedules, hours of work, health and safety, job security, and other important issues. Unions can also have a positive impact on the workplace by raising morale, lowering turnover, and improving efficiency by putting sensible, transparent policies in place. By joining with OPEIU Local 98, you will enjoy the protection of a legally binding contract, negotiated and voted on by you and your co-workers.

Work-Life Balance

Through bargaining for benefits like paid parental leave and flexible hours, unions are able to encourage healthy work-life balance.

Career Development

In negotiations, union members can craft sensible pathways to promotion as well as secure funding for professional development.

Your Issues

Each workplace is different, so union members will want to bargain for different things. What would you like to see change in your workplace?

FAQs

  • A union is a group of workers who come together to bargain over important aspects of their employment like wages, benefits, and other working conditions. Unions allow staff to meet with management on a level playing field in order to make their workplace fairer and more transparent. The right for unions to bargain is protected by US law, and employees who are in the process of forming a union are too.

  • If a large majority of co-workers show support by signing cards (or a petition), a request can be made to the National Labor Relations Board to conduct a secret ballot election. The election will officially determine whether or not a majority (50% plus one of those who vote) wants to have a union. Once the election is won, the law requires your employer to recognize your union and negotiate in good faith. Visit our page on forming a union for more information.

  • The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) gives employees the legal right to form a union and protects them from retaliation. It is illegal for your employer to ask you about your union activity or to threaten, harass, fire, discipline or discriminate against you because of union activity. When you organize with OPEIU you can depend on support and back up if needed. Visit our page on workers’ rights for more information.

  • You do—unions are made of the eligible employees in your workplace. Once you’ve formed a union, you and your union-eligible co-workers will elect representatives to negotiate with management and decide on contract priorities. Unions are truly democracy at work.

  • Most employers, even good ones, feel threatened when they find out employees want to share some power. Most will try to convince you not to form a union by using a variety of tactics designed to create doubt. However, workplaces are actually stronger and more effective with a union. When staff are given respect at work, a living wage, and clear pathways to career advancement, they’re able to focus their energy on their work and are less likely to leave for other opportunities. The key to successfully forming a union is to stay united and focus on the reasons you wanted a union in the first place.