Most companies will use "union busting" propaganda to misinform and mislead you into believing you don't need a union to represent you in the workplace.
Some companies will even hire highly paid "union busting" consultants (paid approximately $1,000 - $1,500 a day, plus expenses) to convince you that you don't need a union. The truth is—most companies don't want to lose control—and they don't want you to have a voice in determining your working conditions, including wages, benefits, vacation seniority and overtime.
The following is a list of lies you can expect to hear from management and their "union-busting" consultants when you decide to form a union:
Management Lie: We'll straighten out our mistakes.
The Truth: Management won't right past wrongs on their own. Change will only come when you empower yourself and form a union that will negotiate a contract that will hold management accountable.
Management Lie: We will have to close down.
The Truth: No company has ever shut down because its employees formed a union. The majority of companies that fail are non-union and they shut their doors because of mismanagement. Unions want companies to prosper because it means higher salaries and better benefits for their members.
Management Lie: Unions are run by big union bosses.
The Truth: UPSEU Local 1222 is run by its members. With the guidance of seasoned union representatives, your union will be responsible for electing your own Unit Stewards and negotiating and approving your own contracts.
Management Lie: Unions can't promise you a contract.
The Truth: Under the law, management is required to negotiate a contract with the union. UPSEU Local 1222's knowledgeable representatives will assist your negotiating team in achieving the best contract possible. When this is accomplished, management's verbal promises and evasive techniques will be a thing of the past.
Management Lie: The union will force you to go on strike.
The Truth: UPSEU Local 1222 never forces its members to go on strike. The decision to strike is made by a majority vote by the unit’s membership. Going on strike is the most drastic weapon workers have, and it is only used as a last resort after careful preparation and discussion. Over 99 percent of UPSEU Local 122 contracts are settled without going on strike. There are many effective alternative ways to negotiate a good contract.
Management Lie: All the union wants is your dues money.
The Truth: All UPSEU Local 1222 wants is to promote fairness, respect and dignity in your workplace. Union dues are an investment in your professional career. Your dues provide your unit with knowledgeable representatives and skilled labor attorneys. Your dues also qualify you to receive numerous member-only benefits that include home mortgages, scholarships, life insurance and more.
Management Lie: We're one big happy family.
The Truth: Unfortunately, management's "family" doesn't include rank and file employees. When workers threaten to form a union, management—for the first time—suddenly adopts workers as "family." However, without a contract, real change in your workplace, including improved working conditions and being treated with dignity and respect, will never happen.
Management Lie: We run a very efficient business.
The Truth: The only thing management does efficiently is mistreat its employees. Many companies spend thousands of dollars retaining professional "union busters" to threaten employees and discredit the union —rather than deal with their employees in a respectful way. These "union busters" will use every trick available to stop unions from organizing employees, so beware.
Management Lie: We treat our employees with dignity.
The Truth: There is no dignity in the workplace until a collective bargaining agreement is in place. Without a union contract, workers are "at will" employees and can be terminated at the boss' whim without "just case." With a union, employees cannot be fired without just cause. They have job protection and are treated with respect.
Management Lie: Signing a card means you've joined.
The Truth: Signing a "showing of interest" card does not obligate an employee to join the union. Authorization cards are circulated among workers to demonstrate to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that there is enough interest in the workplace to hold an election for union representation. Authorization cards are kept confidential by the NLRB. They are not shared with the employer.
Management Lie: We can't afford to pay you more.
The Truth: In most companies, you'll find that top executives are well taken care of with huge salaries, annual bonuses and stock options, while workers struggle to make ends meet. The best way to get management to open up the cash drawer is through collective bargaining and a union contract. Salary increases can be negotiated to put an end to collective begging and ensure that employees get a fair share.
Management Lie: Unions can't guarantee improved wages and benefits.
The Truth: While we can't promise improved wages and benefits, we can promise you a voice in your workplace and an opportunity to bargain collectively over all issues concerning your employment. We can also tell you that every contract we've ever negotiated on behalf of our members has resulted in improved wages and benefits.
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