Contract
UNION – Defines wages, hours of work, other employment conditions; and dispute procedures.
NON-UNION – No written contract. Employer may change rules and policies at any time.
Wages
UNION – Union wages are negotiated with your employer and are spelled out and guaranteed in written contract.
NON-UNION – Employer sets wages. Minimum wage law applies, but only in certain conditions.
Seniority
UNION – Applies in placement on wage schedule, layoffs, vacation and holiday scheduling, overtime, job bidding and shift schedules.
NON-UNION – The employer chooses whether to use seniority.
Discipline
UNION – For just cause only. In most cases, steps of progressive discipline apply.
NON-UNION – Employer may say, “You’re fired” at any time.
Grievances
UNION – A structured legal procedure for disputes if you feel your contract has been violated.
NON-UNION – Employer may have an “open door” policy to discuss disputes, but employee may find door shut and locked.
Arbitration
UNION – Process for arbitration of grievances when appropriate —at the union’s expense, not yours.
NON-UNION – If you bring legal action against your employer, you must pay for it.
Health/Welfare/Pension
UNION – Your union negotiates your benefits, often with large employer contribution to your premiums.
NON-UNION – Not required under law. Any benefits or employer contributions are up to your employer.
Vacations
UNION – Paid vacation negotiated by length of service (seniority).
NON-UNION – No basic legal rights to vacation. If available, may be paid or unpaid.
Holidays
UNION – More than just the typical ones. Pay negotiated by the union. Premium pay for holiday work.
NON-UNION – NO basic legal rights to holidays. Employer discretion and may not be paid.
Sick Leave
UNION – Paid sick leave. Short- and long-term disability coverage.
NON-UNION – NO basic legal rights. If available, paid at employer’s discretion.
Leaves of Absence
UNION – Negotiated leaves above and beyond laws. Return to work guarantees.
NON-UNION – Must grant only leaves mandated by law and under strict guidelines.
Layoff
UNION – Protected by seniority. Return-to-work rights specified in contract.
NON-UNION – No protection for long-term workers. Often layoffs start with them.
Job Protection
UNION – You are protected in case of sale, merger, takeover or closing of business.
NON-UNION – No protection.
Small/Big Companies
UNION – If you work in a small company, you have the same rights as workers in big companies.
NON-UNION – Limited and usually based on size of company, cash assets, etc.
Dues
UNION – Minute portion of wages, legal services, and benefits paid to union for representation.
NON-UNION – No dues, no rights. (But maybe they’ll give you a turkey at Thanskgiving.)
