Your
Rights at Work
A
Teamster contract establishes wages, hours and working conditions.
Every so often, as stipulated in your contract, labor and
management negotiate improvements or changes to this agreement.
Your
Teamster contract may cover such rights and benefits as:
- Wages and Pay Increases
- Health coverage
- Job security
- Promotions
- Vacations
- Holidays
- Retirement benefits
- Work rules
- Seniority rights
- Leave
- Grievance Procedures
- Hours of Work
- Overtime Pay
- Equipment, Uniforms and
Allowances
The contract is the law of the
workplace. The rights and benefits in the contract are guaranteed.
Management cannot legally change them without negotiating with the
union.
Unity Wins Benefits
Your
employer doesn't just give workers the rights and benefits in a
union contract. They are won generally over years of tough
negotiations because of membership unity.
You Vote on the Contract
You
vote to accept or reject whatever has been negotiated. The
proposed contract does not go into effect until a majority of the
members vote to accept it.
Contracts can cover workers on a
national, regional, or local level. Experience shows agreements
covering a period of three years best serve the interests of the
members. Some contracts, however, run for longer or shorter terms.
Know Your Contract
Read
your contract. Ask your steward to explain parts that are unclear.
If you know your contract, you can take full advantage of the
benefits contained in it. You will also know when your employer
has failed to live up to the terms of the pact.
You should become familiar
with the employer’s work rules and attendance policy, as well as
the union contract. All three will make you aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
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