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Challenge both s ides

Our goal is an informed decision.

• Facts (you can check!)

• Safe environment• Respect

• Respect• Open mind• Informed decision

Our commitment to you

Your commitment to each other

WHO: XXXX loca l XX

WHERE: l oca t ion here

WHAT: NLRB election

WHEN: Day & Date here

SECRE

T

BALLO

T WHY?

Week Two Review

* O n l y m e m b e r s c a n v o t e o n • C o n t r a c t s • S t r i k e s • S t e w a r d s & o f f i c e r s

Every union member* must fol low the union’s consti tut ion

and local bylaws.

Union Rules

A union’s const i tu t ion spel ls out The powers of union

off ic ia ls Rules a l l members

must fo l low How decis ions are

real ly made

32 page

s!

ARTICLE XIV – Discipline of Local Members

Section 1. Members of local unions may be expelled, suspended, fined, removed from office or otherwise disciplined for violation of any of the provisions of the local union constitution and bylaws, the RWDSU Constitution and Bylaws, or the UFCW Constitution.

RWDSU Constitution, 2014

You must follow all RWDSU rules plus UFCW rules or face disciplinary action

You can be expe l led , suspended, f ined and d isc ip l ined

Duties and Obligations

RWDSU members must fol low local bylaws, the RWDSU Constitution and the UFCW International Constitution

As a union

member you can

be put on trial by

your union.

ARTICLE XIV – Discipline of Local Members – Section 1. Members of local unions may be expelled, suspended, fined, removed from office or otherwise disciplined for violation of any of the provisions of the local union constitution and bylaws, the RWDSU Constitution and Bylaws, or the UFCW Constitution.”

Violating Constitution or Bylaws

Trying to get rid of the union

“Interfering” with union officials

RWDSU International Constitution

• “Scabbing”• “Conduct detrimental to the

best interests of the union”• “Acting in a manner to bring

the union into disrepute”• “Violation of union decisions”RWDSU 338 Bylaws, Article XI, Section 2

Charges Against Members

RWDSU Consti tut ion and

local bylaws discipl ine for

U n i o n s f i n e

m e m b e r s f o r

v i o l a t i n g u n i o n

r u l e s .

I f y o u r e f u s e t o p a y

f i n e s t h e u n i o n c a n

• D o c k y o u r p a y

• Ta k e y o u t o c o u r t

• D e m a n d y o u l o s e y o u r j o b

You must pay

union dues,

assessments,

fees, and fines

or lose your

job.

1. The revenue of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union shall be derived from per capita tax, assessments, fines, income from bank deposits and investments, and income derived from all other lawful sources. Article VIII, Section 1.

1. Your local union

dues could be higher

Rules About Dues

2. Unions want dues

deducted directly from

your paycheck.

3. Dues can go up at

any time without

your consent

RWDSU dues = UFCW minimum ($27.08) plus $1 per month

For polit ical campaigns

Rules About Assessments

To cover shortages

The union can also levy“special assessments” at any time.

To pay for strikes or drives

Section 6. Members shall pay in advance all dues and shall promptly pay all assessments. Any member who shall be two (2) months in arrears in the payment of dues, assessments or other payments required to be made shall cease to be in good standing and shall automatically be suspended from all rights and privileges of membership. RWDSU Constitution, Article IX, Section 6.

• For any reason• Even i f you vote

against i t• Even i f you don’t

want to pay

RWDSU members are legally obligated to pay all assessments.

About Union Democracy

But isn’t the union

a democracy ruled

by its members?

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers President: Stuart ApplebaumRWDSU.org

In the RDSWU the

International President:

• Interprets the

consti tut ion and

approves al l bylaws

• Can remove any

elected local off icial

• Has the last word on

al l contracts and

str ikes

Members have litt le

direct control over

union decisions.

Did the organizer offer you a

copy of the union’s rules

before you signed a card?

Why not?

Read

Talk

Our goal is an informed decision.Union’s const i tut ion & bylaws

Ask family and friends if they ever regretted not reading the fine print

What type of th ings could I be put on t r ia l or f ined for by the union?

What i f I can’ t a fford to pay my dues, assessments or f ines? Wi l l the union have me f i red or take me to cour t?

Challenge

What About Right to Work?

In r igh t to work s ta tes you cannot be fo rced to pay dues, fees, f ines or assessments as a cond i t ion o f employment .

I f you do jo in the un ion in a r igh t to work s ta te you s t i l l pay dues , and a re sub jec t to un ion ru les , fees , f ines assessments .

Even i f you choose not to jo in the union, non-members must :

• Fol low the union contract

• Al low union leaders to set t le any d isputes you have (whether you agree or not)

• Are not a l lowed to run for union off ice

• Cannot vote on your contract

• Wi l l be put under pressure to jo in

Also remember, i f you don’ t jo in the union, you: