What is a union?
A union is simply a group of workers who have banded together with the goal of improving the lives of its members, their families and their communities. One person standing alone may be weak, but workers joined together have strength. When you are a member of the Steelworkers Union, YOU ARE NEVER ALONE!
You don’t need to feel isolated or that you are alone in problems at work. You have the power to make a difference in your own life – on and off work – and in the lives of your co-workers. A union means having a voice on the job and taking an active role in shaping your life at work.
As a union member, you elect a committee of your co-workers to represent you at the bargaining table and to address daily issues at work. You will also have access to professionally-trained USW staff who will help negotiate a strong and fair contract and address issues with your employer.
As a union member, you will be asked about your priorities at work, and what those priorities will be. Your contract is negotiated every few years and provides stability at work, to help you and your family plan for the future. In addition to voting on your bargaining committee members, you will also have a chance to vote on your contract.
The United Steelworkers union
The United Steelworkers Union (USW) is the largest private sector union in North America with more than 225,000 members in Canada and more than 1.2 million active and retired members across Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
Every year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of our strong track record of creating safer workplaces, and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions. After all, you work hard at your job, so do we.
Our union started in the steel industry back in 1942 and has since expanded to proudly include workers in nearly every industry, in nearly every job, in all regions of the country.
WHERE DO USW MEMBERS WORK?
USW represents workers in all sectors – right across the economy. Members work in call centres and credit unions, mines and manufacturing plants, offices and oil refineries, restaurants and rubber plants, sawmills and steel mills and security companies. We also work in nursing homes, legal clinics, social agencies and universities, just to name a few. While most of our members work in the private sector, a growing number of USW members work in public sector industries like health care.
What contract negotiations look like
The USW look to our members for input on how to improve daily work life. No more one way decision making. You elect your bargaining committee who will work with a USW Staff to bargain.
We don’t negotiate concessions. When we start from where you’re currently at. This means no drop in wages or benefits. In addition, benefits would continue during slow periods.
Collective bargaining agreements vary across industries and jobs, but some of the common items included in a contract are:
• Clear rules around hours of work and scheduling
• Wages and pay raises
• Benefits, including health and dental
• Greater job security
• Holidays and vacation entitlement
• Dispute resolution