Organizing

What is a union?

It’s YOU. It’s ME. It’s all of US…

This is the way Webster’s Dictionary describes the term union:

UNION (noun): The act of uniting or the state of being united for mutual interest and benefit.

As applied to organizing labor, a union is workers joining together to pursue policies and goals beneficial to one and all.

Nothing more, nothing less!

In other words, a union is you and your fellow employees acting in concert to better your everyday working conditions.

A union is what gives individual workers a voice in decisions and events that directly affect them in an undertaking that constitutes a major portion of life — WORK.

A union allows employees a say in changing work place conditions and solving work place problems. With a union contract and grievance procedure to back them up, employees don’t have to suffer in silence, or feel that their only option to unacceptable conditions, is to quit their jobs.

A union is it’s membership. A union is as successful as it’s membership is involved and active. Responsible participation is the key to progress for all of us.

In Unity There is PRIDE

In Unity There is RESPECT

In Unity There is Dignity

In Unity There is STRENGTH

Because the UNION is YOU!

When your employer tells you “all about unions”

Your employer may not always give you accurate information when it comes to joining a union. You may hear:

  • “We don’t need a union here. We are a family.”
  • “Unions can’t guarantee you anything.”
  • “Unions are just outsiders who come in and take over”
  • “Unions cause strikes.”
  • “Unions are bad.”

Make up your own mind. Ask yourself…

  • Does this “family” really care what happens to me?
  • If the union can’t help make improvements, then why is management so upset about the possibility of having to negotiate with one?
  • Why do the unit members elect their own stewards and bargaining committee, then make their own decisions about contract proposals and settlements?
  • If unions cause strikes, why are 99% of all contracts settled without a strike?
  • If unions are so bad, why are they unions helping people like you who want dignity, justice and fairness for workers?

There are many good reasons to be organized with Local 70, including:

    Having a voice in determining your conditions of employment and your future.
  • You’ll have a mutually agreed upon employment contract, which cannot be changed on the whim of an employer

    • .

  • You’ll have a guaranteed salary, benefits, insurance coverage, pensions and more, which are mutually agreed upon.
  • Protection of employment and seniority rights.
  • A grievance procedure which provides a fair and equitable process to resolve disputes with your employer.
  • Education an on-going training through Local 70’s own education and training programs.
  • Local 70 does not charge any union dues / initiation fees to new bargaining units during the first-time contract. These fees will begin once the first contract has been negotiated and voted on.
  • Local 70 assigns a trained professional staff person (Business Representative) to provide contract enforcement, contract negotiations, arbitration and other services.
  • Local 70 and its members enjoy a reputation both regionally and nationally for their resolve, fairness, successful negotiating skills and innovation.
  • Above all, Local 70 is absolutely dedicated to providing the best representation, service, leadership, and support for its members throughout Minnesota.

Join the nearly 5,000 workers throughout Minnesota who have chosen Local 70 as their UNION. Call us at (651)646-4566.