Myths about the Union

 

The union doesn’t want us they just want the company.

    It does not benefit us to Organize the company and eliminate its' employees. The union has long understood that the only way we can insure decent wages and working conditions for all sheet metal workers, is to manage the supply of skilled manpower.

 

If the union comes in they will get rid of us and bring in their own people:

Again this will not benefit us in any way. We want you to become union a member and stay employed with your current employer.

 

If the union comes in the company will go broke:

     We are committed to working with your employer to make him a successful union contractor. We will work out a "phase in" agreement to allow your employer to finish the work he has now without causing him undo financial hardship, making the transition to a union contractor as easy as possible.

 

If the union comes in the company will simply close down, and open under a different name the next day:

     Although there are no guarantees that the company will not close under any circumstances, legally they cannot close down and then re-open under a different name to avoid certification.

 

If I get laid off in the union I have to sit on the out of work list and starve:

     S.M.W.I.A. members have more employment opportunities than non members. S.M.W.I.A. members have the opportunity to work for all union contractors. If there is no work available with union contractors, S.M.W.I.A. members can find jobs with non-union contractors with consent of the local union office. S.M.W.I.A. members also have the option of traveling to other local unions for work, through our local to local referral system.

 

The union boss will tell us what to do:

     This is completely the opposite. The union is run by the membership. The business manager and all officers are elected by and accountable to the membership. All major decisions affecting the membership are decided by the membership.

 

The company will not be able to compete:

     The S.M.W.I.A. is committed to organizing all Sheet Metal workers in the St Louis Area. The S.M.W.I.A. is currently working on Market Recovery programs to keep our contractors competitive in today’s market. By sticking together as Sheet Metal workers, and demanding respectable wages and working conditions, we can insure that all contactors are bidding work on a level playing field.

 

Make the right choice for you and your family!
Contact local 36’s Organizing department today.
314-371-2800 EXT 18
All calls are private and confidential.