District 13
ORGANIZING
Director
John M. (Mickey) Breaux
District Staff
Offices and Numbers
News
Press Releases
News Articles
Education
Introduction
Educational Materials Available
Course and Training Descriptions
District 13 Training Questionnaire
Organizing
Welcome to the District 13 Organizing Web Site
Organizers for District 13
Why Should I Join A Union?
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About Forming a Union
Contact an Organizer in District 13
Summary of the National Labor Relations Act
The Rights of Employees
Rapid Response In Our District
Annual Fish Fry For Local 752L Fires Up Members
Local Union Leaders Meet with U.S. Congressman on Trade Issue
Women of Steel
Women of Steel Coordinator For District 13
Women of Steel Leadership Development Takes Off in District 13
District Events
District 13 Council July Meeting
Who Needs Unions? Texas High School Students Find Out Why They Do
2008 MidSouth Union Institute
District 13's Women Of Steel Test Toys for Women's Shelter
Texas Locals Learning to Build Power
There’s a new flag flying over Texas City Chemicals
Louisiana Congressional Candidate visits Plant in Zachary, La.
Houston Group Hosts "Safe Home Session"
District 13 Holds Training Workshop
Oklahoma AFL-CIO Held Its Convention in Tulsa on Oct. 10-12.
USW Local 13-447 Endorses Foster Campbell for La. Governor
Home Depot Leafleted in Texas in Support of Canadian Workers
First District 13 Conference Big Success!
Pictures from District Conference
District 13 PAC Raffle
Union Links
Local Union Web Sites
Downloadable Information
Material for Local Unions
District 13 Elected Officials



Why Should I Join A Union?

Why would workers in a non-union workplace want a Union? This is a question that is on the minds of working men and women everywhere, no matter what occupation.

The fact is that having a Union in your workplace is the most beneficial thing you can do to secure your future and the future of your family!

 

Did you know that if you work in a non-union workplace you could be fired for virtually any reason?

In March 2007, a national computer chain fired 3,400 workers because they said that these workers made too much money (average $24,000-$28,000). The company failed to mention in the news release that their CEO earned over $4.5 million and the Chairman of the company earned over $5.4 million.

 

Did you know that in a non-union workplace, you could be fired for getting sick, or for getting injured on the job?

A custodian at a University in Louisiana fell down a flight of stairs during a blackout in a storm. The mother and bread winner of two young children was unable to work because of the medication prescribed the physician who attended to her. The University forced her to resign because she did not have any sick days to use up.

At a car plant in mid-Ohio, a 12 year employee who contracted a respiratory infection was fired for not returning to the job which induced the infection. The 49 year old mother was raising two children.

 

Did you know that, in a non-union workplace, you could be laid off to make room for friends or relatives of your employer?

Many workers feel that years of service should ensure their employment but it is well known that blood is thicker water.

 

But if you worked in a unionized workplace, your job would be protected whether you were sick or injured, and you would be protected by a Union contract during layoffs.

In a Unionized workplace, time off due to sickness or injury is usually covered in the CBA, layoffs usually go by seniority.

 

Employees in a Union workplace earn far more in wages than non-union workers. Unionized workers have Union contracts that guarantee certain wages and benefits for the Union worker for the life of the contract.

On average, union workers’ wages are 30 percent higher than their nonunion counterparts.

 

A Union can help those in the workplace obtain better healthcare for you and your family.

80 percent of union workers in the private sector had jobs with employer-provided health insurance, compared with only 49 percent of nonunion workers.

 

Union representation means that you stand a better chance able to retire with financial security for you and your spouse.

Of all Union workers, 81% have Defined Benefit Pension Plans that are fully financed by the employer. Defined Benefit Pension Plans are guaranteed by the Government and they provide a guaranteed monthly pension amount. In non-union workplaces, only 48% of workers have Defined Benefit Pension Plans financed by the employer.

 

Click Here To See More Advantages to Unions