You
should expect that in most cases that your employer will be
opposed to employees organizing. This is normal. By building the
Union, you can overcome the obstacles management will place in
your path.
As
you build your organization, expect that your supervisor will
break the law.
Warn
your co-workers that many of the itemized infractions below will
happen.
Union
activists should note any questionable company activity and report
it to your Teamster representative.
Simple
Rules for What Your Employer Can and Cannot Do:
The
Employer CANNOT...
- Attend any union meeting, park
across the street from a meeting site or engage in any
undercover activity which would indicate that the employees
are being kept under surveillance to determine who is and who
is not participating in the union.
- Tell employees that the company
will fire or discipline them if they engage in union activity.
Lay off, discharge, or discipline any employees for union
activity.
- Grant employees wage increases,
special concessions or benefits in order to keep the union
out.
- Ask employees about union
matters, meetings, etc.
- Ask employees what they think
about the union or a union representative.
- Ask employees how they intend to
vote or if they are going to vote.
- Threaten employees with reprisal
for participating in union activities. For example, threaten
to move the plant or close the business, curtail operations or
reduce employees' benefits.
- Promise benefits to employees if
they reject the union.
- Give financial support or other
assistance to a union.
- Announce that the company will
not deal with the union.
- Ask employees whether or not
they belong to a union, or have signed up for union
representation.
- Ask the employee, during the
hiring interview, about his affiliation with a labor
organization or how he feels about unions.
- Purposely team up non-union
employees and keep them apart from those supporting the union.
- Transfer workers on the basis of
union affiliations or activities.
- By nature of work assignments,
create conditions that are intended to get rid of employees
because of his/her union activity.
- Fail to grant a scheduled
benefit or wage increase because of union activity.
- Deviate from company policy for
the purpose of getting rid of a union supporter.
- Promise employees a reward or
future benefits if they decide no union.
- Tell employees overtime work
(and premium pay) will be discontinued if the business is
unionized.
- Say unionization will force the
company to lay off employees.
- Say unionization will do away
with vacations, flight privileges or other benefits and
privileges presently in effect.
- Promise employees promotions,
raises or other benefits if they get out of the union or
refrain from joining the union.
- Start a petition or circular
against the union or encourage or take part in its circulation
if started by employees.
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