ORGANIZING

You will find some people saying that they are for the so - called 'right - to - work' law, but they also believe in unions. This is absurd! It's like saying you are for motherhood but against children"

- Harry S. Truman, 33rd President - 1945-1953

Millions of America's most important people are represented by unions. Newscasters, teachers, sanitation workers, public safety personnel, airline pilots, clerks, sports stars, janitors, doctors and lawyers, television and movie stars, accountants, secretaries, telephone workers, nurses, construction workers, truck drivers, engineers, scientists, farm workers... virtually every occupation in the work force enjoys union representation.

Union members depend on their union to make things fair for them on the job. It's usually impossible, and always difficult, for an individual worker to go one-on-one with an employer. Union blend individual voices into a strong, democratic and responsible call for fairness on the job and in the community. Unions provide workers the opportunity to pool their strength and resources to gain the professional and technical skills they need for collective bargaining, the means and support to deal with nationwide and worldwide employers, and the ability to meet changing conditions with informed judgment.

Collective bargaining- negotiations for wage and working conditions - continues to be the primary function of American unions, but that is just one of the many services unions performed today. Unions and their members are deeply involved and dedicated to quality education, health programs, fair taxes, social services for the elderly and programs for young people. From disaster relief to referral services, from counseling to consumer support and youth activities, labor response to its community in times of need.

The way that American unions address the most direct means of their membership is through collective bargaining: Sitting at a bargaining table with the employer. Typically, contracts are bargained by democratically elected union representatives who come to the tables as equals of their management counterparts. Through the give and take of the bargaining process they establish equitable wages, working conditions, job safety and job security, and a system for resolving disputes a grievance procedure.

The collective bargaining process has proven to be a remarkably effective way to address direct on - the - job problems. Workers look to their unions to monitor change brought about by new technology and ease its impact on their working lives. Unions serve as the front line guardian of worker's health and safty on the job. If you hold a job you should consider the benefits that a union can help you achieve.