Here's
Why We
Organized Into UE!
"We
have some kind of control over what's happening ... Dignity. Respect. And ... the rank and
file run the union."
Before we organized we had no say-so about anything the boss did.
He didn't give a wage increase for five years, then he raised the insurance co-pay twice
in one month. If someone was fired they were just out the door. Now we've got stewards and
there's an alternative. We have some kind of control over what's happening with our
livelihood. Dignity. Respect. And the best thing is the rank and file run the union. We
make the decisions.
Shirley Harrison, Tulip Manufacturing,
UE Local 1135, Milwaukee, WI
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"I can say yes, absolutely, it pays
to belong to UE. Things are dramatically different now."
"Organizing does work! When we began our union we knew we needed
change at the shop. We knew it wouldn't be easy, that it would take a lot of work, but, now that we are under our
first contract I can say yes, absolutely, it pays to belong to UE. Things are dramatically different
now. When you speakout alone, it is hard to be heard. The company listens when you have a collective
voice. Perhaps the best thing of all is now we workers are so much closer to each other, united in struggle and bonded as
friends."
George "Duke" Mainor, Flex-Y-Plan,
UE Local 697, Erie, PA
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"UE worked
with us to bring everyone together in the Union ... before the UE we would ask
for reasonable wages and work rules and the administration would tell us, 'If
you don't like it, take a hike!'"
"Our school district is geographically the largest school district in Iowa.
With 9 work sites and a district that covers parts of 5 counties UE worked with us to bring everyone together in the Union. I, like most of the
people in our union, am a part-time worker. UE has fought for and won fair wage increases for everyone and increased health insurance coverage for
part-time workers. Before the UE we would ask for reasonable wages and work rules and the administration would tell us, 'If you don't like it,
take a hike.' Now we have a grievance procedure, an elected negotiating
committee and real job security."
Wendy Gansen, Western Dubuque Schools,
UE Local 893-96, Farley, IA
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