An Introduction to Labor Relations

ELECTION UPDATE
An Election Petition has been filed with Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) based on minimum of 30% of employees signing authorization cards Union is American Federation of State County & Municipal Employees [AFSCME] Council 79

ELECTION UPDATE

ELECTION DATE: July 28, 2011

SECRET-BALLOT ELECTION TIMES: 6 a.m. 9 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 6 p.m. LOCATION: Farmers Market
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STRUCTURE OF AMERICAN LABOR UNIONS

What is a union?

STRUCTURE OF BUSINESS UNIONISM

(TERM COINED BY SAMUEL GOMPERS,1886)

Control
Constitution

AFL-CIO

Revenue
(Cash Flow) Per Capita Tax

AFSCME

Bylaws

Districts
Dues ($41/mo.) Fees Assessments Fines

Members

UNIONS IN THE U.S.

$15 BILLION PER YEAR INDUSTRY

Peaked in 1945 at 35.5% of American Workforce Now, represents only 11.9% total US workers

UNIONS IN THE U.S.

$15 BILLION PER YEAR INDUSTRY Business-like structure that: 1. Collects dues/fees 2. Attempts to negotiate contracts 3. Acts as Exclusive Bargaining Agent

WHO RUNS THE UNION?

AFL-CIO Executive Council

AFSCME Executives

DC Execs Union Business Agents/Reps

Union Sales Team (Organizers)

Workers

Union dues pay for this entire structure

SALES TEAM TACTICS

A training school for union organizers Common union organizing tactics can include: Identify & exploit issues Make implied or actual promises (no guarantees) Participate in Tag Teams

SALES TEAM TACTICS

Conduct home visits Make telephone trees Create wedges...attack management Tell uninterested voters not to vote (especially in Right-to-Work states)

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DID YOU KNOW?

Even though Florida is a Right-to-Work state, if the union wins the election, everyone becomes unionized
ven if you voted NO ven if you never pay union dues ven if you never signed a union card
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OU would still become

UNIONS ARE A BUSINESS

A union constitution is a contract between the union and its members If a member violates the unions constitution or bylaws, the union may put the member on trial. If found guilty, the member may be suspended, expelled or even fined money. If fined, Florida public employers can NOT garnish wages in the collection of fines. However, fines can be collectible in civil courts. 12

THREE STAGES OF LABOR

1. Organizing campaign Union fighting to get into workplace Constant membership campaign Union tries to get contract No time limit May result in

1. Contract Negotiations

1. Contract Administration OR Impasse

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THE ELECTION

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THE PERC ELECTION

Under the Florida Public Employees Relations Act, the only question stated on the ballot is

Do you want to be represented by a collective bargaining agent?

In other words, do you want negotiations to take place between the city and the union as your exclusive representative.
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THE PERC ELECTION

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THE PERC ELECTION

A Secret-Ballot Election
This means, even if you signed a union authorization card, you still have the right to vote NO because NO ONE will know how you vote unless YOU tell them.

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THE PERC ELECTION

The outcome is determined by those employees who actually vote:
If 130 people vote and the union gets 66 votes, the union wins. If 10 people vote and the union gets six votes, the union wins and all 130 are unionized.

If you do not want to be represented, you should vote NO.

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WHAT DOES THE ELECTION DECIDE?

What the election does NOT do The election does NOT eliminate issues The election does NOT provide better wages or benefits The election does NOT improve communication The election does NOT decide City policies change The only thing the election does is determine whether you will be represented by a thirdparty union for the purposes of labor negotiations

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Collective Bargaining

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THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROCESS

YOU

THE CITY

THE UNION

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THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROCESS

Good-faith negotiations means Meeting at reasonable times and places With an open mind There is no time limit Can easily take months or even years The city or the union can legally say NO to the other party The city would not be obligated to agree to anything which it believes is against its best interests

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THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROCESS

What the LAW states... Collective bargaining means the performance of the mutual obligations of the public employer and the bargaining agent of the employee organization to meet at reasonable times, to negotiate in good faith, and to execute a written contract with respect to agreements reached concerning the terms and conditions of employment, except that neither party shall be compelled to agree to a proposal or be required to make a concession unless otherwise provided in this part.
Source: Florida Public Employee Relations Act, Sec. 447.205 (14) [Emphasis added]
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THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROCESS

At some point time, the city may present a last best and final offer. The contract offer may contain: Higher wages and/or benefits; OR Same wages and benefits; OR Lower wages and/or benefits

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THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROCESS

The union may accept or reject the contract offer IF the contract offer is accepted, it becomes the CONTRACT IF the union rejects the contract offer, you may be involved in impasse proceedings

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6 a.m. 9 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 6 p.m.

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Questions?

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