In today's business climate, with corporate "downsizing" in full swing, there is almost no job security. Irrespective of how long you have worked for your employer or how good an employee you may be, there are no guarantees.

Employers continue to pass on the increased cost of benefits to those who can least afford it, the employees. In essence, this generally nullifies any raise you may have received for that year. In some cases, employers have outright eliminated benefits for their employees and/or retirees.

We are sure that there may have been times when you have been treated differently than your colleagues. Perhaps you did not curry favor with your manager and your colleagues did and they received a better assignment or shift.

If you have a workplace issue or problem, you can always go see your manager. If you're still not satisfied with the resolution. You can always go over his or her head to Human Resources. Of course going over your manger's head may have ramifications on your career or raise, so maybe it's better to live with the problem as best as you can.

As companies continue to downsize many employees are "lost in the shuffle" regardless of how many years of loyal and dedicated service they have given to their employer. As is common with non-union shops, companies get to pick and choose who is to be laid off. You could be there 10 years and someone with only six months could be kept while you are on the street.

There may have been times when you were all set to start your vacation and on Friday, your manger tells you that you must cancel or hold off on your vacation because they need you to work as there is not enough manpower to handle the workload. This is irrespective of plans or arrangements that you might have made or non-refundable plane tickets which will now be no good.

Companies have the right to determine how much of a raise, if any, you receive. You really don't know from year to year what you will receive and this makes it very difficult to plan ahead financially. If the profits are not what the shareholders expect or if the company wants to engage in a capital improvement program, it is generally the employees who feel it when it comes time for raises.

The above examples are just some of the problems which occur in many companies; indeed, if we were to list all of the problems that we are commonly subjected to, it would eat up this entire web page.

The fact of the matter is that in most workplaces, especially in our industry, there are two standards, them and us. Over 99% of the time, it's the worker who comes out on the short end of the stick. This is why we have unions. With a union contract, you have a legal binding agreement that both sides have to honor. If a difference of opinion occurs and neither side can settle it, then the issue is submitted for Arbitration to a neutral third party, who has no vested interest in either party. Both sides must honor the arbitrator's decision.

With a Union everyone has a say in what goes into the contract. You help to shape your destiny and future.

This is why you should organize!