1. Unions Giving us a chance to live.

2. What is a Union? A union is a group of workers who form an organization to gain: –Respect on the job, –Better wages and benefits, –More flexibility for work and family needs, –A counterbalance to the unchecked power of employers, and –A voice in improving the quality of their products and services.

3. Does the law protect workers joining unions? It’s supposed to—but too often it doesn’t. Under the law, employers are not allowed to discriminate against or fire workers for choosing to join a union. For example, it’s illegal for employers to threaten to shut down their businesses or to fire employees or take away benefits if workers form a union. However, employers routinely violate these laws, and the penalties are weak or nonexistent.

4. How do unions help working families today? Through unions, workers win better wages, benefits and a voice on the job—and good union jobs mean stronger communities. Union workers earn 30 percent more than nonunion workers and are more likely to receive health care and pension benefits than those without a union. In 2007, median weekly earnings for full-time union wage and salary workers were $863, compared with $663 for their nonunion counterparts.

5. Unions lead the fight today for better lives for working people, such as through expanded family and medical leave, improved safety and health protections and fair-trade agreements that lift the standard of living for workers all over the world.

6. What have unions accomplished for all workers? Unions have made life better for all working Americans by helping to pass laws ending child labor, establishing the eight-hour day, protecting workers’ safety and health and helping create Social Security, unemployment insurance and the minimum wage, for example. Unions are continuing the fight today to improve life for all working families in America. Unions have made life better for all working Americans by helping to pass laws ending child labor, establishing the eight-hour day, protecting workers’ safety and health and helping create Social Security, unemployment insurance and the minimum wage, for example. Unions are continuing the fight today to improve life for all working families in America.

7. What you get from a union

8. Better Health Care Unions have pioneered the provision of health care as an employee benefit. Virtually all union contracts provide health care coverage, often paid for entirely by the employer. Unions have pioneered the provision of health care as an employee benefit. Virtually all union contracts provide health care coverage, often paid for entirely by the employer.

9. Sadly, there are nearly 40 million Americans who have no health insurance. Most of these are children of employed workers, including those workers who serve our food in restaurants and take care of us in hospitals. Sadly, there are nearly 40 million Americans who have no health insurance. Most of these are children of employed workers, including those workers who serve our food in restaurants and take care of us in hospitals.

10. Among union workers, 52% have family medical coverage that is wholly paid by the employer. In non-union work places, only 18% have such coverage. Similarly, with dental care, union members have a significant advantage. In union work sites, 49% of workers have family dental coverage that is financed wholly by the employer. Among non-union workers, only 19% have employer paid dental coverage. Among union workers, 52% have family medical coverage that is wholly paid by the employer. In non-union work places, only 18% have such coverage. Similarly, with dental care, union members have a significant advantage. In union work sites, 49% of workers have family dental coverage that is financed wholly by the employer. Among non-union workers, only 19% have employer paid dental coverage.

11. Better Wages Through collective bargaining, unions have helped raise the standard of living for millions of American workers. There is a distinct economic advantage in belonging to a union and working under a union contract: Through collective bargaining, unions have helped raise the standard of living for millions of American workers. There is a distinct economic advantage in belonging to a union and working under a union contract:

13. Better Pensions Union representation means that you are more likely to be able to retire with security and dignity. Overall, 90% of full-time union workers participate in at least one retirement plan, compared to only 74% of non-represented workers. Union workers are far more likely to participate in traditional defined benefit plans – 86% for union members versus only 50% for non-union workers. Such plans are almost always financed entirely by the employer, and your retirement benefits are guaranteed by the federal government. Union representation means that you are more likely to be able to retire with security and dignity. Overall, 90% of full-time union workers participate in at least one retirement plan, compared to only 74% of non-represented workers. Union workers are far more likely to participate in traditional defined benefit plans – 86% for union members versus only 50% for non-union workers. Such plans are almost always financed entirely by the employer, and your retirement benefits are guaranteed by the federal government.

15. The graph pictured here shows the union advantage in retirement security. Among union workers, 81% have defined benefit pension plans that are wholly financed by the employer. In non-union work sites, only 48% of workers have defined benefit retirement plans financed by employers. The graph pictured here shows the union advantage in retirement security. Among union workers, 81% have defined benefit pension plans that are wholly financed by the employer. In non-union work sites, only 48% of workers have defined benefit retirement plans financed by employers.

16. Better Sickness & Accident Benefits Sickness and accident benefits provide needed income to working families in the event of non-work related sickness and injury. Among union workers, 71% have sickness and accident insurance; in non-union work sites only 36% receive economic security during times of illness and injury. Sickness and accident benefits provide needed income to working families in the event of non-work related sickness and injury. Among union workers, 71% have sickness and accident insurance; in non-union work sites only 36% receive economic security during times of illness and injury.

17. A Right to Health & Safety on the Job Work can be hazardous to your health. Far too many American workers are killed, injured and exposed to diseases on the job. Working under a union contract can improve your ability to monitor your work environment and ensure that health and safety concerns are addressed. Work can be hazardous to your health. Far too many American workers are killed, injured and exposed to diseases on the job. Working under a union contract can improve your ability to monitor your work environment and ensure that health and safety concerns are addressed.

18. A Voice at Work the Boss Can't Ignore Belonging to a union gives you rights under federal law that you don't have as an individual. Union representation provides you with the tools you need to deal with your employer from a position of strength. Belonging to a union allows you to establish a written agreement that specifies the terms of your employment. Once you have formed a union, your employer is required by law to bargain with you over your wages, hours and working conditions. Belonging to a union gives you rights under federal law that you don't have as an individual. Union representation provides you with the tools you need to deal with your employer from a position of strength. Belonging to a union allows you to establish a written agreement that specifies the terms of your employment. Once you have formed a union, your employer is required by law to bargain with you over your wages, hours and working conditions.

19. Without union representation, which opens the door to the power of collective bargaining, an individual worker has no voice in his or her employment and is subject to arbitrary decisions made by the employer. With union representation, you have a voice in your future. Without union representation, which opens the door to the power of collective bargaining, an individual worker has no voice in his or her employment and is subject to arbitrary decisions made by the employer. With union representation, you have a voice in your future.

20. Job Security In a time of high unemployment and uncertain economic conditions, the right to retain your job is critical to you and your family. It is important to know that you can't be fired without just cause or laid off to make room for the boss' favorite nephew. In a time of high unemployment and uncertain economic conditions, the right to retain your job is critical to you and your family. It is important to know that you can't be fired without just cause or laid off to make room for the boss' favorite nephew.

21. Most union contracts establish strict rules about job security and the conditions under which layoffs or reductions in the work force take place. This makes sure that everyone is treated fairly, and that no one is discriminated against for speaking their mind on the job or enforcing the terms of the contract. Most union contracts establish strict rules about job security and the conditions under which layoffs or reductions in the work force take place. This makes sure that everyone is treated fairly, and that no one is discriminated against for speaking their mind on the job or enforcing the terms of the contract.

22. Without the protection of a union contract, you are at the mercy of the employer. You have the ability to change that; you have the power (and the LEGAL right) if you act collectively. Without the protection of a union contract, you are at the mercy of the employer. You have the ability to change that; you have the power (and the LEGAL right) if you act collectively.

23. Right To Work secures the right of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join or financially support a union. However, employees who work in the railway or airline industries are not protected by a Right to Work law, and employees who work on a federal enclave may not be. secures the right of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join or financially support a union. However, employees who work in the railway or airline industries are not protected by a Right to Work law, and employees who work on a federal enclave may not be.

24. How it effects unions In fact, by weakening unions and collective bargaining, it destroys the best job security protection that exists: the union contract. Meanwhile, it allows workers to pay nothing and get all the benefits of union membership. Right to work laws say unions must represent all eligible employees, whether they pay dues or not. This forces unions to use their time and members’ dues money to provide union benefits to free riders who are not willing to pay their fair share. In fact, by weakening unions and collective bargaining, it destroys the best job security protection that exists: the union contract. Meanwhile, it allows workers to pay nothing and get all the benefits of union membership. Right to work laws say unions must represent all eligible employees, whether they pay dues or not. This forces unions to use their time and members’ dues money to provide union benefits to free riders who are not willing to pay their fair share.

25. The average worker in a right to work state makes about $5,333 a year less than workers in other states ($35,500 compared with $30,167).[1] Weekly wages are $72 greater in free- bargaining states than in right to work states ($621 versus $549).[2] Working families in states without right to work laws have higher wages and benefit from healthier tax bases that improve their quality of life. The average worker in a right to work state makes about $5,333 a year less than workers in other states ($35,500 compared with $30,167).[1] Weekly wages are $72 greater in free- bargaining states than in right to work states ($621 versus $549).[2] Working families in states without right to work laws have higher wages and benefit from healthier tax bases that improve their quality of life.[1][2][1][2]

26. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of workplace deaths is 51 percent higher in states with right to work, where unions can’t speak up on behalf of workers.[3] According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of workplace deaths is 51 percent higher in states with right to work, where unions can’t speak up on behalf of workers.[3][3]

27. The End