Joining the United Steelworkers
Frequently Asked Questions
CAN I LEGALLY JOIN A UNION?
Yes - you have a right to join the union and to participate in its lawful activities. The law also gives you the right to help your coworkers join the union too.
CAN MY EMPLOYER, THREATEN OR FIRE ME FOR ORGANIZING A UNION?
No. The law protects you and the USW makes sure the law is upheld. It is illegal for your employer to fire you, suspend you, or punish you in any way for joining the USW or helping your coworkers join. Your union activity is strictly confidential. You don’t have to tell anyone you’ve signed a union card unless you decide you want to.
AREN’T THERE LAWS THAT PROTECT US?
Yes. There are laws that guarantee the minimum standards an employer has to meet, but those are only the basics. Your union contract will always be better. You deserve more than the minimum standards.
WHY IS A UNION CONTRACT IMPORTANT?
Your contract is a legally binding document between the workers and the employer. It provides the opportunity to negotiate regular pay increases, benefits, and address any other issues important to you and your coworkers. It is a set of guidelines for workers and management to follow to ensure a fair and respectful workplace.
ALSO - when you join a union, you maintain everything you currently have and use that as the starting point for bargaining.
WILL THE COMPANY FIND OUT WHO HAS SIGNED A UNION CARD?
No. Card signing is 100% confidential. The employer will never know who signed cards. It is your choice to share with others that you have signed a card.
CAN MY EMPLOYER INTERFERE WITH AN ORGANIZING DRIVE?
No. Your employer cannot interfere in a union organizing drive. It is illegal for an employer to intimidate employees who support the union. Workers have the right to unionize. Notify your USW organizer of any intimidation on the part of your employer.
WHAT ABOUT UNION DUES?
You will pay union dues after you vote to accept your first collective agreement.
CLICK here for everything you need to know about USW union dues.
WHO BARGAINS WITH THE EMPLOYER TO GET OUR COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT?
You elect a bargaining team from your coworkers. The USW provides a Staff Representative to lead and support the process
DO I HAVE A SAY IN WHAT GETS NEGOTIATED?
You can provide input to the bargaining process via membership surveys from the bargaining team. You also vote on the tentative agreement that is negotiated.
WHAT MAKES MY EMPLOYER BARGAIN FAIRLY WITH THE UNION?
The law requires both the employer and union to bargain in good faith. All reasonable efforts must be made to negotiate a collective agreement.
ARE STRIKES COMMON?
No. The vast majority of contracts are achieved without work stoppage. Often, a strike vote raises the stakes in negotiations and is often used as bargaining leverage. Members vote to strike or not. No strike can occur without a majority vote by the workers.
DON’T UNIONS PROTECT ‘LAZY’ WORKERS’?
It is a myth the unions protect lazy workers. Think of your current workplace, are their workers you would call ‘lazy’? You’re not unionized yet but they may still be there! Management’s job is to make sure employees are competently trained and productive. The union’s role is to make sure the employer is fair towards workers and doesn’t discipline or terminate someone without cause. This helps regulate ‘bullying’ from management and build a more respectful workplace.
All employees have the right to be treated fairly, and with respect and dignity. If not, your union provides representation and can take legal action if necessary.
WHY SHOULD I JOIN A UNION IF I DON’T HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH MY EMPLOYER?
We all want positive relations between workers and management and healthy workplaces. While things might be okay now, a change in management could create a negative change in workplace climate.
With a union contract, your wages and working conditions are protected and won’t be unilaterally changed by a new manager or by a new owner. It’s a rule book so everyone in the workplace understands their rights and responsibilities.
The USW prides itself on working with others to find solutions to problems at work, in our communities, and around the globe. Sometimes the union has to fight for what’s right but, more often than not, we work with management to find better ways to get the job done because we know the benefits of teamwork. USW workplaces are more productive, safer, and happier places to work because of these problem-solving relationships. This is the USW difference.