Organizing FAQ's
Many thanks and credit for much of the material on this pages goes to Locals One, 15, 411, 720, and to the IATSE main website.
Why does my organization need a union?
Some organizations do not. If you feel you are being paid a fair wage, given reasonable breaks, and can speak to management about your concerns (especially safety concerns) without fear of repercussions then you may not need a union!
However, you may need a union if you answer ‘no’ to many of the following questions:
· Working full time, are you able to pay all of your bills?
· Do you get overtime, and extra pay or comp time for working on holidays?
· Do you have health care through your place of employment?
· Does your workplace offer any sort of retirement plan?
· Do you get adequate lunch and dinner breaks? Enough time to leave the building/get some air/call the babysitter/ and eat?
· When you have concerns about your job, do you feel you can mention them to management without reprisal?
· Is your worksite safe?
· Do you feel that your job is secure and that terminations are reasonable?
· Does your workplace have low-turnover and many satisfied employees?
So, there are some problems at my workplace. Can’t we just band together and talk to the higher-ups?
Absolutely, but if you organize or begin to organize, you are protected BY LAW from reprisal.
Workers have the right to elect a union or organize their own union to represent them, and employers cannot legally dismiss a worker for looking into joining a union, for promoting union membership or for belonging to a union.
If your Employer attempts to discharge, suspend, demote, or otherwise adversely affect your job because of your union activity, your Employer has violated the law. Federal law prohibits such activity and the remedy provided by law includes reinstatement to your position and payment of lost wages.
What can IATSE do for us?
· Negotiate a contract that is legally binding and spells out your working conditions and rights. Without a contract, your employer can change your wages and working conditions at any time.
· Provide job security by ensuring due process in the event your employer seeks to discipline or fire you.
· Ensure a safe work environment.
· Provide training to upgrade skills and master new technologies.
· Improve your wages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers represented by unions earn higher wages than their non-union counterparts in virtually every category of employment.
· Provide for health insurance and retirement security. BLS studies also confirm that union represented employees are more likely to receive health and retirement benefits from their employer.
Under a union contract, everyone works under the same set of rules. This builds a stronger community of workers. The more united you are, the more effectively you can pursue your common interests.
Will my employers go out of business if we unionize?
No. Union contracts cover actors, musicians, press agents, directors, chorographers and designers. In fact, even in the smallest productions, you may be the only person involved in the show that is without some kind of union contract.
Given Local 31’s years of experience in the business of show business, we recognize that there are different sorts of venues and shops and no one contract covers them all. It does no one any benefit if an employer goes out of business. Local 31 will not negotiate a contract that does not take into account the size and the economic reality of a particular employer.
If my company goes union, will union stagehands take my job?
No. This will not happen. Our goal at Local 31 is to help you protect and improve your job. At the end of a (successful) organizing process, you and your fellow employees will be Journeyman members.
Local 31 does not want your job, Local 31 wants you!
How much are the dues & will I have to pay an initiation fee?
There is a one-time initiation fee payable only after you have achieved membership.
Local 31 collects $52 a quarter for the International Office (referred to as per capita tax).
Additionally, 5% is deducted from each paycheck. Working dues are only collected from members when they are working under a Local 31 collective agreement. These dues are capped at $1500 a year.
Where do union dues go?
The per capita goes to the International Office fund its various activities on behalf of all the locals, including lobbying, negotiation support, and organizing efforts.
The 5% goes to pay the Local’s call steward, business agent, and office staff. It goes to legal costs, including the attorney we retain for contract negotiations and to daily operations such as printer toner, keeping the lights on at the office, and so forth.
Your dues enable the Local to work on your behalf.
How do I organize my workplace?
First take a minute to read the following informative articles on the IATSE website:
This article gives you an organizing overview to familiarize you with the process.
Once the NLRB determines that you meet the criteria for an election, and the details of the election have been hammered out between the organizing committee, the employer, and the NLRB, there is a vote. This article explains what you can expect during an organizing campaign and offers some suggestions to counteract anti-union propaganda. It also tells you what legal actions your employer can take, and which actions are illegal.
This third article details precisely what will happen during an actual vote. The voting process is designed to keep your ballot absolutely confidential.
Once you have read the material call Local 31 at 816-842-5167 and ask for the Business Agent. He’ll help you get started.
What is collective bargaining?
Collective bargaining is the heart and soul of the labor union. Collective bargaining occurs when a group of people, such as the workforce at a company, bands together to increase its negotiating power. For instance, a single worker might feel that a certain new safety measure should be implemented in his theater or shop, but he might have limited power to get the company to install the new measure. If the entire workforce is made aware of the need for the new measure and bands together to pressure the company to install it, there is a much greater chance that the company will comply. Labor unions band workers together, allowing the voices of individual workers to be heard and possibly made into a goal of the union. Unionized workers typically elect representatives to bring concerns to the company’s attention.
What is a bargaining unit?
A bargaining unit is a group of employees that perform similar work and usually share a work area. Generally employees in a bargaining unit have similar interests and concerns when it comes to working conditions – like pay, hours of work and conditions of the workplace. A bargaining unit may also be a group of similar workers that work in different places in different shops, but do the same work.
What is a collective bargaining agreement?
A “Collective Bargaining Agreement” (sometimes called a CBA or contract) is an agreement that is gained through negotiation between the employer (Producers) and the labor union (the I.A.T.S.E.). The collective agreement sets forth the terms of employment for the employees who are members of that labor union. It governs the relationship between the employer and the members of the union.
Provisions such as wages, benefits, working hours and conditions of work are guaranteed when working under a collective agreement. A collective agreement is binding and ensures both the employees and employers adhere to the established conditions of the collective agreement.
Collective Agreements are binding for a specific period of time, or term agreed upon by both parties. As the expiration date of the set term approaches, both parties have an opportunity to negotiate a new agreement.
It is important for all members to familiarize themselves with their contract. Members need a clear understanding of their rights and obligations.
If you want to help decide what is in the contract, tell us your ideas or find out how to become part of the contract committee.
Why does my organization need a union?
Some organizations do not. If you feel you are being paid a fair wage, given reasonable breaks, and can speak to management about your concerns (especially safety concerns) without fear of repercussions then you may not need a union!
However, you may need a union if you answer ‘no’ to many of the following questions:
· Working full time, are you able to pay all of your bills?
· Do you get overtime, and extra pay or comp time for working on holidays?
· Do you have health care through your place of employment?
· Does your workplace offer any sort of retirement plan?
· Do you get adequate lunch and dinner breaks? Enough time to leave the building/get some air/call the babysitter/ and eat?
· When you have concerns about your job, do you feel you can mention them to management without reprisal?
· Is your worksite safe?
· Do you feel that your job is secure and that terminations are reasonable?
· Does your workplace have low-turnover and many satisfied employees?
So, there are some problems at my workplace. Can’t we just band together and talk to the higher-ups?
Absolutely, but if you organize or begin to organize, you are protected BY LAW from reprisal.
Workers have the right to elect a union or organize their own union to represent them, and employers cannot legally dismiss a worker for looking into joining a union, for promoting union membership or for belonging to a union.
If your Employer attempts to discharge, suspend, demote, or otherwise adversely affect your job because of your union activity, your Employer has violated the law. Federal law prohibits such activity and the remedy provided by law includes reinstatement to your position and payment of lost wages.
What can IATSE do for us?
· Negotiate a contract that is legally binding and spells out your working conditions and rights. Without a contract, your employer can change your wages and working conditions at any time.
· Provide job security by ensuring due process in the event your employer seeks to discipline or fire you.
· Ensure a safe work environment.
· Provide training to upgrade skills and master new technologies.
· Improve your wages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers represented by unions earn higher wages than their non-union counterparts in virtually every category of employment.
· Provide for health insurance and retirement security. BLS studies also confirm that union represented employees are more likely to receive health and retirement benefits from their employer.
Under a union contract, everyone works under the same set of rules. This builds a stronger community of workers. The more united you are, the more effectively you can pursue your common interests.
Will my employers go out of business if we unionize?
No. Union contracts cover actors, musicians, press agents, directors, chorographers and designers. In fact, even in the smallest productions, you may be the only person involved in the show that is without some kind of union contract.
Given Local 31’s years of experience in the business of show business, we recognize that there are different sorts of venues and shops and no one contract covers them all. It does no one any benefit if an employer goes out of business. Local 31 will not negotiate a contract that does not take into account the size and the economic reality of a particular employer.
If my company goes union, will union stagehands take my job?
No. This will not happen. Our goal at Local 31 is to help you protect and improve your job. At the end of a (successful) organizing process, you and your fellow employees will be Journeyman members.
Local 31 does not want your job, Local 31 wants you!
How much are the dues & will I have to pay an initiation fee?
There is a one-time initiation fee payable only after you have achieved membership.
Local 31 collects $52 a quarter for the International Office (referred to as per capita tax).
Additionally, 5% is deducted from each paycheck. Working dues are only collected from members when they are working under a Local 31 collective agreement. These dues are capped at $1500 a year.
Where do union dues go?
The per capita goes to the International Office fund its various activities on behalf of all the locals, including lobbying, negotiation support, and organizing efforts.
The 5% goes to pay the Local’s call steward, business agent, and office staff. It goes to legal costs, including the attorney we retain for contract negotiations and to daily operations such as printer toner, keeping the lights on at the office, and so forth.
Your dues enable the Local to work on your behalf.
How do I organize my workplace?
First take a minute to read the following informative articles on the IATSE website:
This article gives you an organizing overview to familiarize you with the process.
Once the NLRB determines that you meet the criteria for an election, and the details of the election have been hammered out between the organizing committee, the employer, and the NLRB, there is a vote. This article explains what you can expect during an organizing campaign and offers some suggestions to counteract anti-union propaganda. It also tells you what legal actions your employer can take, and which actions are illegal.
This third article details precisely what will happen during an actual vote. The voting process is designed to keep your ballot absolutely confidential.
Once you have read the material call Local 31 at 816-842-5167 and ask for the Business Agent. He’ll help you get started.
What is collective bargaining?
Collective bargaining is the heart and soul of the labor union. Collective bargaining occurs when a group of people, such as the workforce at a company, bands together to increase its negotiating power. For instance, a single worker might feel that a certain new safety measure should be implemented in his theater or shop, but he might have limited power to get the company to install the new measure. If the entire workforce is made aware of the need for the new measure and bands together to pressure the company to install it, there is a much greater chance that the company will comply. Labor unions band workers together, allowing the voices of individual workers to be heard and possibly made into a goal of the union. Unionized workers typically elect representatives to bring concerns to the company’s attention.
What is a bargaining unit?
A bargaining unit is a group of employees that perform similar work and usually share a work area. Generally employees in a bargaining unit have similar interests and concerns when it comes to working conditions – like pay, hours of work and conditions of the workplace. A bargaining unit may also be a group of similar workers that work in different places in different shops, but do the same work.
What is a collective bargaining agreement?
A “Collective Bargaining Agreement” (sometimes called a CBA or contract) is an agreement that is gained through negotiation between the employer (Producers) and the labor union (the I.A.T.S.E.). The collective agreement sets forth the terms of employment for the employees who are members of that labor union. It governs the relationship between the employer and the members of the union.
Provisions such as wages, benefits, working hours and conditions of work are guaranteed when working under a collective agreement. A collective agreement is binding and ensures both the employees and employers adhere to the established conditions of the collective agreement.
Collective Agreements are binding for a specific period of time, or term agreed upon by both parties. As the expiration date of the set term approaches, both parties have an opportunity to negotiate a new agreement.
It is important for all members to familiarize themselves with their contract. Members need a clear understanding of their rights and obligations.
If you want to help decide what is in the contract, tell us your ideas or find out how to become part of the contract committee.