The Truth about Management’s Lies
Most companies will use "union busting" propaganda to
misinform and mislead you into believing you don't need a union to represent
you in the workplace. Some companies will even hire highly paid "union
busting" consultants (paid approximately $1,000 - $1,500 a day, plus
expenses) to convince you that you don't need a union. The truth is—most companies don't want to lose control—and they don't want you to have
a voice in determining your working conditions, including wages, benefits,
vacation seniority and overtime. The following is a list of lies you can expect
to hear from management and their "union-busting" consultants when
you decide to form a union: Management Lie:
We'll straighten out our mistakes.
The Truth: Management won't
right past wrongs on their own. Change will only come when you empower yourself
and form a union that will negotiate a contract that will hold management
accountable. Management Lie: We will have to close
down.
The Truth: No company has
ever shut down because its employees formed a union. The majority of companies
that fail are non-union and they shut their doors because of mismanagement.
Unions want companies to prosper because it means higher salaries and better
benefits for their members. Management Lie:
Unions are run by big union bosses.
The Truth: UPSEU Local 1222
is run by its members. With the guidance of seasoned union representatives,
your union will be responsible for electing your own Unit Stewards and
negotiating and approving your own contracts. Management Lie: Unions can't promise you a contract.
The Truth: Under the law,
management is required to negotiate a contract with the union. UPSEU Local
1222's knowledgeable representatives will assist your negotiating team in
achieving the best contract possible. When this is accomplished, management's
verbal promises and evasive techniques will be a thing of the past. Management Lie: The union will force you to go on strike.
The Truth: UPSEU Local 1222
never forces its members to go on strike. The decision to strike is made by a
majority vote by the unit’s membership. Going on strike is the most drastic
weapon workers have, and it is only used as a last resort after careful
preparation and discussion. Over 99 percent of UPSEU Local 122 contracts are settled
without going on strike. There are many effective alternative ways to negotiate
a good contract. Management Lie: All the union wants is
your dues money. The Truth: All UPSEU Local 1222 wants is to promote fairness, respect and
dignity in your workplace. Union dues are an investment in your professional
career. Your dues provide your unit with knowledgeable representatives and
skilled labor attorneys. Your dues also qualify you to receive numerous
member-only benefits that include home mortgages, scholarships, life insurance
and more. Management Lie: We're one big happy
family. The Truth: Unfortunately, management's "family" doesn't include
rank and file employees. When workers threaten to form a union, management—for
the first time—suddenly adopts workers as "family." However, without
a contract, real change in your workplace, including improved working
conditions and being treated with dignity and respect, will never happen. Management Lie: We run a very efficient business.
The Truth: The only thing
management does efficiently is mistreat its employees. Many companies spend
thousands of dollars retaining professional "union busters" to
threaten employees and discredit the union —rather than deal with their
employees in a respectful way. These "union busters" will use every trick available to
stop unions from organizing employees, so beware.
Management Lie: We treat our
employees with dignity.
The Truth: There is no
dignity in the workplace until a collective bargaining agreement is in place.
Without a union contract, workers are "at will" employees and can be
terminated at the boss' whim without "just case." With a union,
employees cannot be fired without just cause. They have job protection and are
treated with respect.
Management Lie: Signing a card
means you've joined.
The Truth: Signing a
"showing of interest" card does not obligate an employee to join the
union. Authorization cards are circulated among workers to demonstrate to the
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that there is enough interest in the
workplace to hold an election for union representation. Authorization cards are
kept confidential by the NLRB. They are not shared with the employer.
Management Lie: We can't afford
to pay you more.
The Truth: In most
companies, you'll find that top executives are well taken care of with huge
salaries, annual bonuses and stock options, while workers struggle to make ends
meet. The best way to get management to open up the cash drawer is through
collective bargaining and a union contract. Salary increases can be negotiated
to put an end to collective begging and ensure that employees get a fair share.
Management Lie: Unions can't
guarantee improved wages and benefits.
The Truth: While we can't
promise improved wages and benefits, we can promise you a voice in your
workplace and an opportunity to bargain collectively over all issues concerning
your employment. We can also tell you that every contract we've ever negotiated
on behalf of our members has resulted in improved wages and benefits.
|