It is common belief that having a union
enables people to improve wages and benefits. While this is true, it is
only part of the picture. The N.L.R.A. (National Labor Relations Act)
section 7 says: “Employees shall have the right to self organization,
to form, join or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively
through representation of their own choosing and engage in other
concerted activities for collective bargaining...” Local 4 is
encouraged by these words and has taken steps to make them ring true.
The question then becomes what do we do? We
and as
we organize a common theme emerges:
Better benefits and wages.
Better working conditions.
Health insurance and Retirement benefits.
Employment opportunities.
Market share in our jurisdiction.
Apprenticeship and Training.
Sound familiar? Local
4 has been successful in organizing employers that provide good wages
and benefits for employees under collective bargaining agreements. The
real goal is to build a stronger Local to better enable employees to
negotiate good contracts and increase their standard of living and quality of life.
Organizing is a task of endless hours and no material reward, but that
is not what it is about. Organizing is simply defined as survival of
what we know to be true and defining who we will be in the future.
Have a voice and be heard.
