The Communications Workers Of America Local 2201   

 

[ Home ] [ About CWA ] [ Executive Board ] [ Join CWA! ] [ Your Rights! ] [ CWA News ] [ Member Update ] [ Photo Album ]

"Only a fool would try to deprive working men and women of the right to join the Union of their choice."
                                            Dwight D. Eisenhower

CWA believes that all workers are entitled to a fair days pay for a fair days work and the right to work in an harassment free workplace.  This does not always happen within the private sector.  Should you have questions about how a Union can benefit you and your co-workers, please contact Laurie RaBorg @ 804-266-2201 for more information.  In the meantime, you can learn about your rights by visiting the National Labor Relations Board website. 

Choose one of the following links for information on this page:

Your Legal Rights
Secret Ballot Elections
Good Faith Bargaining
Protection from Employer Action
Enforcing your Rights
Protect your legal Rights
The National Labor Relations Act
Frequently asked Questions

1.  You have the legal right to do the following under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act:

2.  Attend meetings to discuss joining a union.

3.  Read, distribute and discuss union literature, (as long as you do this in non-work areas during non-work times, such as during breaks or lunch hours.)

4.  Sign a card asking your employer to recognize and bargain with the union.

5.  Sign petitions or file grievances related to wages, hours, working conditions, and other job issues.

6.  Ask other employees to support the union, to sign union cards or petitions, or to file grievances.

Secret-Ballot Elections

One way of proving that a union has majority support is through a secret-ballot "representation election" conducted by the National Labor Relations Board.

You have a legal right to participate in that election without interference from your employer.

"Good Faith Bargaining

After the union's election victory is officially certified by the National Labor Relations Board, your employer is legally required to negotiate in "good faith" with the union on a written contract covering wages, hours, and other working conditions.

Protection from employer action

Under Section 8 of the National Labor Relations Act, your employer cannot legally punish or discriminate against any worker because of union activity.  For example, your employer cannot legally do the following:

Threaten to or actually fire, lay off, discipline, harass, transfer, or reassign employees because they support the union.

Favor employees who don't support the union over those who do in promotions, job assignments, wages, hours, enforcement of rules, or any other working conditions.

Threaten to or actually take away jobs, pay, or any benefits or privileges employees already enjoy in order to discourage union activity.

Promise employees a pay increase, promotion, benefit, or special favor if they oppose the union.

Enforcing your rights

Some employers try to prevent the workers form joining a union.  The best way to encourage your employer to recognize your union and negotiate a fair contract is to build a strong organization where you work.  CWA's staff will help you do that.

In addition, CWA's organizers, staff representatives, and attorneys will help you enforce your legal rights at every step of the way.

If necessary, CWA will file "unfair labor practice" charges with the National Labor Relations Board.

The Labor Board has the power -- backed up by the federal courts -- to order an employer to stop interfering with employee rights and to reverse any action taken against workers for union activity.

You can help protect your legal rights by:

Keeping written notes of any incidents in which company officials or supervisors threaten, harass, or punish workers because of union activity.

Immediately reporting any such incidents to your organizing committee and CWA staff.

Your notes don't have to be worded a certain way, but you should include what was said or done, who was involved, where and when it happened and the names of any witnesses.

the national labor relations act says:

Section 7:  "Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representation of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining..."

Section 8 (a): It shall be an unfair labor practice for an employer ... to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in section 7..."

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does the union work?

The union is a democratic organization of a majority of the employees in a facility. The basic idea of a union is that by joining together with fellow employees to form a union, workers have a greater ability to improve working conditions at the worksite. In other words, "in unity there is strength".

2. Who runs the union?

The company will say that the union is a bunch of "outsiders".  This is not true... the union is YOU! You run the union. You elect representatives to the negotiating committee and you prepare your own lists of improvements for a union contract. You elect officers and stewards for representation. Again, this is a democratic process.

3. How much are union dues and will I have to pay an initiation fee?

The dues are 2 ¼ hours per month. However, no dues are paid until you vote to ratify the first contract. CWA Local 2201 does not require new members to pay any initiation fees.

4. Where do union dues go?

Union dues are divided between the International Union and the workers’ own local union. Union dues are used to defend workers rights through the grievance procedure and arbitration, the administration of the collective bargaining agreement, organizing new workers into the Union and contributing to worthwhile charities such as the Pediatric Aids Foundation.  A portion of the dues go into a fund to help members should they vote to go on strike.

5. Will the union make us go on strike?

No one can force you to go on strike. There can only be a strike if a majority of the members at your company vote to strike. Over 95% of all union contracts are negotiated without a strike. Wise unions only strike when they know they can win.

6. Can I get fired for helping to form a union or for attending a union meeting?

It is illegal for you to be fired, punished or harassed for attending union meetings or for supporting the union. The law protects your rights as workers to improve your working conditions.

7. What benefits can the union guarantee?

The union can only guarantee one thing: with the support, strength and unity of the workers, you will have a voice and, working together, will win the best contract possible.

8. Will I lose the benefits I have now?

No, it is against the law for the company to take away benefits you now have in order to punish you for voting to be union.

9. What about union corruption and dishonesty

The company would like you to believe that all union officials are corrupt. Most unions activists are decent, honest people dedicated to improving the lives of the working people. Unions are not perfect, nothing is. At least there is a democratic process to care for concerns such as this -- the bad ones can be voted out. Remember, you, the employees, are the union.

10. Will the shop close if I vote for the union?

It is against the law for the company to close or to threaten to close because of union activity. Remember, companies go out of business because people stop buying their products, not because their workers are treated fairly.

11. What if my employer can’t afford a union contract?

No one wants your company to close, especially union that represents the best interests of the members. If the company says they can’t afford the wage and benefit increase that the workers want, we say it must prove its poverty by opening up their financial records. Then we all make decisions collectively based on real information instead of company propaganda.

12. What can we expect the company to do to try to get us to vote against the union?

Usually the company tries to influence employees with scare-talk, anti-union speeches and letters. On the other hand, be prepared for the company to be on their best behavior until the campaign is over. Some companies even make improvements during a union campaign, hoping the employees will forget about the past problems and give them a second chance. It does not last!

13. Does the company have to negotiate with the union?

Yes. The law requires the company to bargain "in good faith" with the union.

14. Is it easy to become a union shop?

Yes and no. It takes a lot of work from employees who are dedicated to helping improve the standard of working conditions. It also takes the active involvement of as many employees as possible. Together, we can make it a success.

*** These are generally asked questions and you may have many more. Please do not hesitate to call to get answers but the best policy is to attend the meetings we will have, so we may all share our opinions, concerns and hope for the future.

Top of Page