About UFCW
Get the Facts about Unions
Click the fact sheets below to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Click the questions below to see the answers.
Does a union organizer get paid?
Yes, union organizers are like the sales team of the business. Their job is to generate new business. Once employees join the union (or the sale is made), the organizers typically hand off the business to a representative to negotiate the contract. That person may or may not be aware of promises made during the campaign and is not obligated to keep any of them.
What can a union guarantee?
A union is allowed to make any promises it would like during a campaign, but it cannot guarantee anything – wages, benefits, or that the terms and conditions of employment will improve. No one knows what will be in a collective bargaining agreement ahead of time, and neither party can simply demand things from the other party during bargaining.
The union says things will only improve. Isn’t that worth the cost of dues?
There is no way the union can guarantee that things will only improve. You may end up paying dues whether or not you like the terms negotiated in the labor contract.
Can’t we just try out the union and remove it if we don’t like what we end up with?
Once elected, it’s a difficult and lengthy process to decertify or remove a union, regardless if you like the terms negotiated. There are specific timeframes when you can attempt to remove a union. Also, employers are not legally allowed to help employees with this process. The union uses member dues to pay for “representational activities,” which can include dissuading employees who want to leave from doing so.