What follows below are common questions often asked about unions. Most of them deal with the standard situation of contractually represented workplaces, rather than alternatives like Minority Unionism.

What does a union do?

A union gives you the power to make your employer pay a fair wage, provide a decent place to work and a voice in the decisions that affect you. It's the organization that represents and defends workers from unfair treatment by the boss , but just as important, it mobilizes all of us to make America a better place for working people.

What is a Grievance

The grievance procedure is a procedure spelled out in the contract that explains how any conflicts between employees and management is to be resolved. Basically it works as follows: Let's say you've been written up for something and you feel it isn't fair. You talk with your managers but they refuse to do anything about it. You then go to your shop steward (see below) to get help. The steward sits down with you and management and tries to resolve the issue. If it can't be resolved at this meeting, a business agent for the union (see below) will come to the store to talk with management. If they still cannot resolve the problem to everyone's satisfaction, the business agent will appeal to upper management. If this step fails, both parties will bring in a neutral arbitrator who will issue a final decision.

What's a shop steward and a business agent?

A shop steward is simply a coworker that is elected by you to make sure that the contract isn't violated. In addition, s/he is the person to contact when an employee has a problem with management and wants union help. A business agent is an official of the union that handles any problems the shop steward cannot.

What besides the grievance procedure goes into a contract?

See the Minneapolis Contract Proposal

Who negotiates the contract?

The company and the union put teams together. The company's team is usually comprised of lawyers, local management and upper management officials. The union team usually consists of bargaining unit (see below) employees, lawyers, and union negotiators.

What kind of say do I get in the contract?

Before contract talks, the union passes out a form on which you list those things you'd like to see in a contract. The union uses this to base the negotiation on. Furthermore, you could be on the negotiating team, but at the very least you get to vote on the contract. If a majority doesn't approve of the contract, the negotiating team has to go back to the drawing board.

How long do contracts last?

Most contracts are at least two years. 

What's this 'bargaining unit' thing I've heard about?

The bargaining unit defines which employees are eligible to vote for and be in the union. Excluded by federal law are managers and security guards.

Hey, if I sign a union card, does that mean I have to vote yes in the election? What if I change my mind?

You can vote any way you like in the election whether or not you signed a card. It's secret ballot so no one, neither management nor anyone else, will ever know how you voted. If you do sign a card but later change your mind and want the card back, you can do so by asking for it back in writing. 

What are union dues? What are they used for?

Union dues are the money you pay to the union to help pay for union support staff, legal costs, negotiation costs, arbitrator's fees, etc. Dues can range anywhere from $200-$500 a year depending on industry, the union, and the amount of money the union members make.

Geez, isn't that a lot of money?

Yes, but these facts help: you don't pay a cent to the union until a contract is ratified by the employees. So if wage and/or benefits gains in the contract don't more than make up for your dues, simply turn the contract down. 

What's a 'union shop'?

This means that all employees in the bargaining unit (see above) must be part of the union. It's a standard part of most contracts. It enables the union to bargain from a stronger position, which benefits all employees.

Even if they voted against the union? That's not very fair.

Well, for better of worse, it's how democracy in our country works. What the majority votes for, the minority has to live with. Is it unfair that Dole supporters have to live with Clinton as president? And remember, even those who opposed the union receive any increases in wages and/or benefits.

I've heard about union fines. What can I be fined for?

In theory, you can be fined for crossing picket lines, not doing a picketing shift during a strike, and such. But the Philly local (they only one I'm familiar with) of the UFCW has NEVER fined a member. Ever.

What's a 'local'?

A union is set up kind of like the United States. There is a national government, but many of the decisions that really affect you are on the state level. This is even more true of a union. There is an international union that oversees national operations. But the local takes care of the contract, helps employees that want help with managerial problems, etc.

Will I not be able to talk to my manager anymore?

Even if unions wanted to stop you from talking to managers about problems (and why on earth would they?) federal law mandates that you have the right to go to a manager with a problem without union representation.

Will my company go bankrupt?

Unions do not ask for more in a contract than a company can afford. They know that the worst possible disservice that a union could do to its membership is to drive the company they work for out of business. In fact, during hard financial times, most unions will do everything in their power to help companies stay in business. The most famous example of this is the Chrysler bailout in the 80's - pressure from both Chrysler and the UAW led the federal government to give Chrysler the loans that saved the company. Also, concessions during this time by the union enabled Chrysler to turn the corner and become one of the most profitable companies in the world today.

Isn't the union just another boss?

Actually, management reserves all 'boss' functions (management's rights) in a contract. So you won't have to check with 'the union' to go on vacation, justify being late, or any hiring or firing situations. What the union does do in these situations is to advocate for you if you feel that management's decisions are unfair. For example, if you aren't given a vacation you deserve, the union will do what it can to rectify the situation working with management. (The process by which they do this, known as the grievance procedure, is spelled out in the contract.)