Information we should all know

Talking Union

Whether as a IAM Officer or a steward you are talking to a new member about why he/she should join the union or talking about how non-union wages and benefits drag down union wages and benefits, you need facts to back up your story. Here are some facts from reports issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and another report from the Economic Policy Institute entitled "How Unions Help All Workers."

■Unionized workers receive more generous health benefits than non-unionized workers. They also pay 18% lower health care deductibles, and a smaller share of the costs for family coverage.
■Unionized workers receive better pension plans. Not only are they more likely to have a guaranteed benefit in retirement, their employers contribute 28% more toward pensions.
■Unionized workers receive 26% more vacation time and 14% more total paid leave (vacations and holidays).
■Strong unions set a pay standard that non-union employers follow. For example, a high school graduate whose workplace is not unionized, but whose industry is 25% unionized is paid 5% more than similar workers in less unionized industries.
■Unions play a pivotal role both in securing legislated labor protections and rights such as safety and health, overtime and family-medical leave and in enforcing those rights on the job.
■Because union members are more informed, they are more likely to benefit from social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance and workers compensation. The plain fact is that unions make a substantial difference.

Open for Service

We are here to help our members and others in there right to Organize.
If you wish to be contacted about Organizing your work place, please let us know.
We will be posting information soon on who you can reach in your area.

IAMAW