How Do You Negotiate With Labor Unions?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Negotiations revolve around a set of needs driven by a number of employee constituencies. …
  2. Constituent Services—yes, it is like being a member of Congress. …
  3. Laying out the grid of the organizations culture. …
  4. Formal feedback combined with delivering constituent services.

What are 3 areas a union considers when negotiating?

There are three main classification of bargaining topics:

mandatory, permissive, and illegal

. Wages, health and safety, management rights, work conditions, and benefits fall into the mandatory categoryA collective bargaining topic, such as wages, that must be discussed in the agreement..

Does an employer have to negotiate with a union?

No. Labor law doesn’t require the union or the employer to agree to any bargaining proposal.

The law only requires the parties to negotiate in good faith with a sincere desire to reach agreement

.

Can you negotiate salary in a union?

The National Labor Relations Act requires a

duly elected union and an

employer to meet and negotiate over wages, hours, and other employment terms, as well as to negotiate over issues that may arise under an existing CBA. The two sides don’t have to reach an agreement, but they always have to bargain in good faith.

Can I sue my union for lack of representation?

Your union must represent employees without discrimination and with good faith, even if the employees aren’t union members. … You may be able to sue your union for lack of representation if

its choice to stop pursuing your grievance was made

in bad faith or in an arbitrary of discriminatory way.

What happens if I don’t strike with my union?

The Union constitution provides for fines and/or assessments to be levied against any union member that either

crosses the picket line

or refuses to take part in strike activities. Crossing the picket line or failure to participate in the strike will result in loss of union seniority.

Can you lose job offer negotiating salary?

For the most part,

yes, you can lose a job offer by negotiating the salary for your offer

. This is because in almost all states, you are an at-will employee, and the company has no legal obligation to hire you.

What should I ask for in union negotiations?

Central issues typically include

wages, hours, layoff procedures, production quotas

, and key benefits such as health insurance. If the union requests it, the employer must provide advance notice of any changes it proposes to make to terms such as wages, hours, and layoff procedures.

Are salary negotiations successful?

A survey by Salary.com revealed that

only 37% of people always negotiate their salaries

—while an astonishing 18% never do. Even worse, 44% of respondents claim to have never brought up the subject of a raise during their performance reviews.

What to do when your union is not helping you?

If you are still not able to get complete relief or your grievance reinstated, you can file a claim with the nearest office of the

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

or in federal district court.

What is union duty of fair representation?

You have a right to be represented by your union fairly, in good faith, and without discrimination. Your union has the duty to

represent all employees

– whether members of the union or not-fairly, in good faith, and without discrimination.

How do I complain about union representation?

To file a complaint,

contact the regional NLRB office nearest

you. File an NLRB Form 508 – Charge Against Labor Organization or its Agents.

Do I get paid if my union strikes?

Are Workers Paid While on Strike? When a worker chooses to go on strike, that person is not entitled to a normal paycheck from their employer. However,

many unions will have a strike fund that will help striking employees meet

their basic financial needs.

Can my union kick me out?

If a member violates something that is in the union’s constitution, nearly every union has the right to place its members on trial. If a member is found guilty at a union trial, members can often be kicked out of the union, have

his or her membership suspended

, or be fined money.

Can a union fine its members?

As a union member, you are bound by the union’s constitution and bylaws, which in most unions provide that

members who work during a lawfully-called strike can be fined

. Such fines can be expensive and may be collectable in state court.

Do employers expect you to negotiate?

But you should know that in almost every case,

the company expects you to negotiate

and it’s in your best interest to give it a shot. In fact, a study by Salary.com found 84% of employers expect job applicants to negotiate salary during the interview stage.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.