Talk to friends family coworkers managers Read handouts websites Read Talk Challenge both sides

Facts (you can check!) Safe environment Respect Open mind Informed decision Your commitment to each other

WHO: XXXX local XX WHERE: location here WHY? WHAT: NLRB election WHEN: Day & Date here SECRET BALLOT

You must pay dues & obey union rules even if you Why should I care? didn’t sign a union card didn’t sign a union card don’t want to vote don’t want to vote don’t want to be involved don’t want to be involved Wait… What?!

And your paycheck. And your job. And your work environment. And your paycheck. And your job. And your work environment.

CARD SIGNING TARGETING The union may spend months, even years, planning a campaign against your employer. CARD SIGNING Organizers collect signed union cards, often through workers who want the union. The union and your employer have 3-5 weeks to campaign for your vote. ELECTION CAMPAIGN VOTE NEGOTIATIONS Months to years Up to one year 3 – 5 weeks Often years No guarantee of a contract. UNION CONTRACT ? Your employer is REQUIRED BY LAW to give your address to the union.

Office rental $252,711 Retail Workers and Department Store Union Benefits for union officials and staff $2,169,932 Office equipment $387,574 6 paid officers split $1.2M 69 employees (500+ UFCW)

Unions collect and spend billions a year in dues. The RWDSU took in $708,686 in dues in % of its operating income ($13M) came from the UFCW.

membership DOWN by 17% (13,000 members lost since 2000) spending UP 47% (By $16.9M since just 2000) Cutting back on services Increasing dues Trying to replace lost members To balance their budgets unions are RWDSU members must now pay dues increases mandated by the UFCW. Source: RWDSU LM-2 Reports, U.S. Department of Labor

DUES RECEIPT No refunds, no returns! UNION OFFICIALS’ PAY $53.00 OFFICIALS’ BENEFITS $16.00 OVERHEAD $23.00 TAXES & FEES $4.00 ALL OTHER SPENDING $4.00 MEMBERS $0.00 Spending on Individual Members? 0 you pay $ dues/year

Like other customers, union members have no power over union policy. But they CANNOT get a refund or cancel for poor service. Union members are stuck paying dues unless they together vote the union out or leave the job.

What’s at stake for the union? Average hourly rate: $10.00 Union dues rate: x 2.5 HRS/MN Monthly union dues: $25.00 Annual union dues: $ x 200 DUES PAYERS Annual income for union: $60, Value to union of a three-year contract $180, you pay $ dues/year

Read Talk The Union Finances handout Ask others about their “customer experience” as a union member Will the union guarantee in writing my dues will never increase? If I’m a dissatisfied union customer, will the union guarantee in writing I will get a full dues refund? Challenge

In right to work states you cannot be forced to pay dues or fees as a condition of employment. If you do choose to join the union in a right to work state you still must pay dues. Even if you choose not to join the union, non- members must: Follow the union contract Allow union leaders to settle any disputes you have (whether you agree or not) Are not allowed to run for union office Cannot vote on your contract Will be put under pressure to join Also remember, if you don’t join the union, you: