Union organizers can make a lot of promises. And, there’s no law that prevents them from making promises they can’t necessarily keep.
We encourage all employees to stay curious and ask questions when talking to a union organizer. You might even ask them to share what they’re promising in writing.
In the meantime, look below at what unions can do vs. what they can’t do.
Unions Can
- Collect dues, fees, fines and assessments
- Negotiate and make proposals
- Refuse to act on union member’s grievance
- Represent all employees even those who voted against the union
- Require union members to go on strike
- Discipline, issue penalties or fine members who violate union bylaws
Unions Cannot
- Guarantee a union contract
- Guarantee higher wages
- Guarantee better benefits
- Guarantee hours
- Prevent layoffs
- Prevent termination for just cause
- Set job standards
- Fire or transfer managers
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