Why Workers Organize
Workers need the basics. Regular people have concerns for their family,
their religion, and their health. Organized labour leaders speak with
passion and conviction about these issues. They earn the trust of the
common worker. People come to learn that the organization talks for them,
demanding that the employment situation provide for their needs.
When their workplace situation becomes intolerable, workers tend to
organize themselves into a unified force. They need to alleviate their
anger at the ongoing mistreatment of themselves and their co-workers.
They want to pull together and put their compassion into action in order
to rectify past workplace injustice. They hope to provide for a better
future in their lives. An organized workplace provides common bonds
which draw workers closer together.
Here is a listing of the most common reasons people take steps to
organize their workplace. We've divided the items into the following categories:
freedom; a better deal; opportunity; a voice at the table; protection;
FREEDOM
- They want freedom from the begging
- They want freedom from the discrimination
- They want freedom from the ever changing policies and practices
- They want freedom from the favouritism
- They want freedom from the fear
- They want freedom from the harassment
- They want freedom from the inequities
- They want freedom from the intimidation
- They want freedom from the long hours at low pay
- They want freedom from the needless job stress
- They want freedom from the take it or leave it attitude
- They want freedom from the unfair discipline
- They want freedom from the unfair treatment
- They want freedom from the unpaid breaks
- They want freedom from the wage freezes
- They want freedom from the wage rollbacks
A BETTER DEAL
- They want to get a more evenly distributed workload
- They want to get an improved standard of living
- They want to get better pay
- They want to get employer paid benefit plans
- They want to get fair job postings
- They want to get improved benefit coverage
- They want to get improved working conditions
- They want to get more control over their jobs
- They want to get negotiated pay raises
- They want to get seniority rights
- They want to get successorship rights should the business be sold
- They want to get their complaints addressed
- They want to get their fair share of the wealth generated by their labour
- They want to get wage grids with automatic progression
- They want to maintain and improve stable employment conditions
OPPORTUNITY
- They want a chance to improve and upgrade their skills
- They want a right to a lifetime of learning
- They want an opportunity to participate and express their views
- They want to have regular weekly earnings
- They want to know if they will have a job tomorrow
- They want to retire with dignity
A VOICE AT THE TABLE
- They want a level playing field
- They want a voice for safety concerns
- They want a voice for their opinion
- They want a voice for workload concerns
- They want dignity and respect for their work
- They want respect from management
- They want the employer obliged to listen to them
- They want the power to make changes
- They want the support of others
- They want to bargain from strength
- They want to have first class representation
- They want to have someone stand up for them
- They want to maximize their bargaining leverage
PROTECTION
- They want protection against age discrimination
- They want protection against arbitrary dismissals
- They want protection against contracting-out
- They want protection against erroneous actions
- They want protection against hazards of technological equipment
- They want protection against inequities in hiring, promotion and termination
- They want protection against management reprisals
- They want protection against prejudiced or capricious evaluation
- They want protection against sexual harassment
- They want protection against speed-up
- They want protection against unsafe company instructions and practices
- They want protection for members who grieve
- They want protection for the rights of individuals with disabilities
- They want protection from impermissible intrusions into their personal privacy
- They want protection from reprisal
- They want protection from retaliation
- They want protection from sexual orientation discrimination
- They want protection in disciplinary actions
- They want protection of employees with medical restrictions
- They want the protection of a grievance procedure
- They want the protection of dignity at work
- They want the protection of seniority rights
- They want the protection of workplace committees
An organized workplace provides working people with a democratic voice
in the decisions affecting them. Organized workers have a legal right to
bargain with their employer.
ACHIEVABLE RESULTS
Here is a listing of groups of practices, provisions, programs, plans
and services which organized workers strive for in an effort to meet the
demands itemized above. Employees of smaller enterprises maintain only
a core set these, while large employers provide a cafeteria-style,
pick-your-own assortment of benefits and programs which meet the
individual employee needs.
RECOGNITION OF THE RIGHT TO ASSOCIATE
- Employment Contract Booklets
- Membership Requirements
- New Hire Orientation and Training
- Notice Boards
- Organization Meetings
- Worker Solidarity
- Workplace Representation
JOB SECURITY
CONTRACT PROVISIONS
concerning:
- Appeal From Discharge
- Appeal Process for Involuntary Transfers
- Arbitrator Selection Procedure
- Contracting Out
- Employment Protection
- Employment Status
- Grievance Procedure
- Guarantees Against Job Cuts or Forced Transfers
- Impact of Technological Change
- Increased Firing Costs
- Job Abolishment
- Job Classification and Personnel Categories
- Job Posting Procedure
- Layoff Notice
- Layoff and Recall
- Position Elimination
- Probation Period
- Promotions and Transfer
- Raise Job Standards
- Reduced Workplace Restructuring Activities
- Reduction in Work Force or Hours
- Rest and Break Periods
- Return to Previous Job
- Severance Payment
- Shift Preference
- Vacation Schedule
- Whistleblower Protection
PAID LEAVES
- Bereavement Leave
- Care and Nurturing Leave
- Education Leave
- Elder Care Leave
- Family Leave
- Family Medical Leave
- Guard Duty Leave
- Jury Duty Leave
- Maternity Leave
- Military Duty Leave
- Paternal Leave
- Personal Leave
- Pre-Retirement Leave
- Professional Leave
- Sabbatical Leave
- Secondment Leave
- Sick Leave
- Representation Training Leave
- Vacation (Annual Leave)
WORKLIFE
- Compressed Work Week
- Flexible Hours
- Personnel Records Access and Revision
- Reassignment Procedure
- Skill Differential Reduction
- Stable Shift Length
- Training and Skills Upgrading
- Work Study Programs
- Work and Family Life Balance Program
INCOME SECURITY
CONTRACT PROVISIONS
concerning:
- Basic Hourly Wage
- Call In Premiums
- Commission Earnings
- Holiday Pay
- Holidays Premiums
- Hours of Work
- Incentive Payments
- Overtime Distribution Procedure
- Overtime Premiums
- Recognized Holidays
- Salary Payments
- Shift Work Premiums
- Shift differential
- Standby Premiums
- Weekend Premiums
- Workload Limits
ADDITIONAL PLANS
- Clean-up Allowances
- Guaranteed Annual Wage Program
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Program
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Unemployment Insurance
- Vacation Pay at Termination
- Workers Compensation Insurance
ELIMINATION OF AT-RISK REVENUE
- Cash Profit Sharing
- Non Qualified Stock Purchase
- Payroll-based Stock Ownership Plan
- Performance Bonuses Plan
- Service Bonuses and Awards
- Stock Bonus
- Tax Deferred Annuities
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
including:
- Death of an Employee or Dependent Counselling
- Exit Interview Statement
- Health and Safety Committee Participation
- Health and Safety Training
- New Job Orientation and Training
- Personal Benefits Statement
- Uniform, Safety Equipment Allowances
- Workplace Committee Participation
DISABILITY INSURANCE PLAN
including:
- Long-term Disability Benefit
- Short-term Disability Benefit
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
- Disability Administration Assistance
HEALTH INSURANCE
including:
- Ambulance Transport Coverage
- Convalescent Home Care Coverage
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) Options
- Hospital and Surgical Coverage
- Layoff Coverage
- Major Medical Coverage
- Medical Equipment Coverage
- Medical Facilities Coverage
- Prosthetics Coverage
- Semi-Private Room Coverage
ADDITIONAL PLANS
- Dental Care Plan
- Dependent Care Assistance Plan
- Prescription Drug Plan
- Vision Care Plan
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Meals
- Food Services
- Health Centre Services
- Pregnant members receive routine medical appointments
- Wellness Program
LIFE INSURANCE PLAN
including:
- Accidental Death Benefit
- Children and Grandchildren Option
- Dependent Life Options
- Dependent Life-Spouse Option
- Dismemberment Benefit
- Permanent Option
- Supplemental Life Options
- Term Insurance Option
- Universal Life Option
- Whole Life Insurance Option
RETIREMENT SECURITY
RETIREMENT PLAN (PENSION PLAN)
including:
- Death Benefit
- Early Retirement Options
- Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
- Retirement Payment Options
- Service Retirement Options
- Surviving Spouse Benefits
- Survivor's Alternate Benefit
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
- Alternative Retirement Plan
- Pre-Retirement Counseling Service
- Pre-Retirement Planning Service
- Retirement Planning Assistance Service
- Supplemental Retirement Income Plan
- Tax Deferred Retirement Savings Plan
OTHER SERVICES
COMMUNICATIONS
- Employee Benefit Booklets
- Employee Benefit Statements
- Employee Benefits Consultant
- Employee Involvement Program
- Employee Suggestion Program
EDUCATIONAL
- Educational Tuition Reimbursement Plan
- Matched Donations for Service Organizations, Colleges, Universities
- Scholarships for Dependent Children
- Tuition Refund for Dependent Children
- Tuition Refund
MOVING
- Moving Expense Plan
- Relocation Expenses
MONETARY
- Automobile Insurance
- Banking Services
- Broker and Consultant Services
- Christmas Bonus Payment
- Credit Card Program
- Credit Union Membership
- Credit Union Savings Plan
- Discount Purchase Program
- Employee Savings and Thrift Plans
- Flexible Spending Account Plan
- Home Owners Insurance
- House Financing Program
- Income Tax Services
- Legal Services
- Membership Professional Trade Associations Payment
- VIP Savings Plan
RECREATIONAL
- Social-Recreational Programs
- Travel Clubs
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