EMPLOYEE RIGHTS: 
 Union vs. Non-Union Workplaces

If you’re an employee or worker of any kind, then you are subject to certain rights and regulations at work. However, whether your workplace is union or non-union can make a big difference in the rights and protections you’re entitled to as an employee.

Here's what you need to know:

Consider This

• On average, a worker covered by a union contract earns 11.2% more in wages than a peer with similar education, occupation, and experience in a nonunionized workplace in the same industry
  
• Union workers are more likely to be covered by employer-provided health insurance. More than nine in 10 workers covered by a union contract (94%) have access to employer-sponsored health benefits, compared with just 68% of nonunion workers.
  
• Union employers pay 86% of workers’ health care premiums while nonunion employers pay 79% of their workers’ health care premiums.
  
• Nine in 10 workers covered by a union contract (91%) have access to paid sick days, compared with 73% of nonunion workers.
  
• Almost all union workers in state and local government (97%) have paid sick days, compared with 86% of their nonunion peers.
  
• In the private sector, 86% of union workers have paid sick days compared with 72% of their nonunion peers.
  

Source: EPI

Are you protected in your workplace?

Unless workers have a union contract, they are at the mercy of company policies. Most employment handbooks clearly state that policies are “guidelines only and … not a contract of employment” or that the terms of the handbook are subject to change without notice.

ALL WORKERS HAVE A RIGHT TO UNIONIZE!

Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act guarantees all workers the right to:

• Join a union.
  
• Talk to your co-workers about joining a union.
  
• Pass out literature about joining a union (in non-work areas during non-work times).
  
• Sign up your coworkers on petitions in non-work areas during non-work times.
  
• Join with your coworkers for the purpose of forming a union.
  
• Join with your coworkers for the purpose of improving working conditions in your place of employment.
  
  

For more information, visit www.UAW.org

What Have Unions Given Us?

• Weekends
  
• Paid vacations
  
• FMLA
  
• Sick leave
  
• 40-hour work week
  
• Occupational Health and Safety (OHSA)
  
• Wrongful termination laws
  
• 8-hour work day
  
• Pregnancy and parental leave
  
• Workplace safety standards and regulations
  
• Child labor laws
  
• Overtime pay
  
• Pensions
  

ABOUT THE UAW

The United Autoworkers International Union represents more than 400,000 active members and 575,000 retirees. UAW members assemble vehicles, make vehicle parts, assemble heavy trucks and agriculture implement products. In addition, UAW members work as casino dealers, higher education workers, government workers, aerospace workers, food and beverage production and in many other fields. The UAW is active in advocating for its members, working families, communities and has a long history of civil rights and human rights support.