The Union Difference

The Union Difference

    Union   Non-union

     Contract A legal document that guarantees wages, benefits and other conditions of employment. Voted on by Union employees. No contract. An employee handbook containing policies and benefits can be changed at any time by employer. Nothing is guaranteed..

     Wages Negotiated by elected committee and union staff. Union wages average significantly higher. Employer arbitrarily sets wages. The law only requires payment of minimum wage.

     Seniority Years of Service are rewarded. Used to determine wages, vacation/holiday and shift scheduling, overtime assignments, lay-off procedure and job bidding. Seniority can be ignored.

     Discipline For just cause only, following fair process. YOU'RE FIRED!

     Grievances Contract sets a structured procedure to handle disputes in the workplace that are in violation of the contract. Employer may provide "open door" policy to discuss disputes, but has final say.

     Arbitration Contract provides for arbitration of grievances, when appropriate, at the Union's expense. Any legal action brought by an employee against employer must be paid for by worker.

     Health/Welfare/Pension
Benefits negotiated by Union, most often include employer-paid premium contributions. Not required under law. Employer may change plan at any time.

     Vacations Paid vacation negotiated according to seniority. Given, paid or unpaid at employer's whim.

     Holidays Negotiated by Union to include holidays as well as personal days off. Typically, working a holiday means double time. Employer may or may not chose to observe certain holidays. May or may not pay extra.

     Sick Leave Paid sick leave or short term disability. Up to employer. Policy may be changed.

     Leaves of Absence/Parental Leave
Negotiated leaves which go beyond laws, with return to work guarantees. Employer must grant only those leaves required by law.

     Shift Premium Hourly bonus paid to night shift employees. None required. Employer may or may not pay.

     Dues Small portion of entire wages and benefits paid to Union for effective representation and voice. No dues - no rights! (The best things in life aren't free!).

     Lay-off Protected by seniority. Return-to-work rights specified in contract. No protection for long-term employees. Often, long-term higher paid workers are first to go.

     Protection Language that protects Union members in case of sale, merger, takeover or closing of business. NONE.

     Respect and Dignity Through the Union, workers can be treated like adults, involved in decisions which affect them and are then able to provide quality care. How you are treated on the job should not depend on the personality of your boss.

The bottom line is power.

Non-Union, the employer has it all.

                        With a Union, you and your co-workers can make
                                                                        management share power.

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	Union	Non-union
Contract	A legal document that guarantees wages, benefits and other conditions of employment. Voted on by Union employees.	No contract. An employee handbook containing policies and benefits can be changed at any time by employer. Nothing is guaranteed..
Wages	Negotiated by elected committee and union staff. Union wages average significantly higher.	Employer arbitrarily sets wages. The law only requires payment of minimum wage.
Seniority	Years of Service are rewarded. Used to determine wages, vacation/holiday and shift scheduling, overtime assignments, lay-off procedure and job bidding.	Seniority can be ignored.
Discipline	For just cause only, following fair process.	YOU'RE FIRED!
Grievances	Contract sets a structured procedure to handle disputes in the workplace that are in violation of the contract.	Employer may provide "open door" policy to discuss disputes, but has final say.
Arbitration	Contract provides for arbitration of grievances, when appropriate, at the Union's expense.	Any legal action brought by an employee against employer must be paid for by worker.
Health/Welfare/Pension	Benefits negotiated by Union, most often include employer-paid premium contributions.	Not required under law. Employer may change plan at any time.
Vacations	Paid vacation negotiated according to seniority.	Given, paid or unpaid at employer's whim.
Holidays	Negotiated by Union to include holidays as well as personal days off. Typically, working a holiday means double time.	Employer may or may not chose to observe certain holidays. May or may not pay extra.
Sick Leave	Paid sick leave or short term disability.	Up to employer. Policy may be changed.
Leaves of Absence/Parental Leave	Negotiated leaves which go beyond laws, with return to work guarantees.	Employer must grant only those leaves required by law.
Shift Premium	Hourly bonus paid to night shift employees.	None required. Employer may or may not pay.
Dues	Small portion of entire wages and benefits paid to Union for effective representation and voice.	No dues - no rights! (The best things in life aren't free!).
Lay-off	Protected by seniority. Return-to-work rights specified in contract.	No protection for long-term employees. Often, long-term higher paid workers are first to go.
Protection	Language that protects Union members in case of sale, merger, takeover or closing of business.	NONE.
Respect and Dignity	Through the Union, workers can be treated like adults, involved in decisions which affect them and are then able to provide quality care.	How you are treated on the job should not depend on the personality of your boss.