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Organizing
Myths & Truths about being a union worker &
why you should become a UA member.
Myth - |
“If I joined the union I’d just be put on the unemployed list and be out of work” |
Truth - |
Over the past 12 years Local 704 has maintained a 97% employment rate for our members. |
Myth - |
“Why should I join the union? I’m learning as I go and they pay me X amount an hour”. |
Truth - |
Local 704 has a certified 5 year apprentice training program and an ongoing journeyman upgrade (training) program available, you will know your job much better after availing yourself to these programs. Our apprentices receive regular raises and we have a contract with our contractors on what our pay rate will be. |
Myth - |
“You pay union dues, because I’m non-union I don’t have to and I make a good living” |
Truth - |
You are correct about the union dues we as union workers pay, these dues are used to fund our Local & the International union. One only needs to look a little deeper to see the benefits from the dues paid - Training, Job Safety, Collective Bargaining, Access to jobs throughout North America - just to name a few.
You only need to compare your wage to our pay scale to see what a “good living” really is. |
Myth - |
“… we get our perks,
our boss gives us a loan anytime we need one.
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Truth - |
If you got paid union scale for the work you do maybe you wouldn't need to "hit the boss up for a loan". |
Quotes from the Organizer
“Only the owners of open shops belong to the A.B.C. NOT THE WORKERS. The Associated Builders and Contractors (A.B.C.) IS A UNION OF NON-UNION OWNERS. They believe it is OK for them to belong to a union but not for their employees."
“Many workers in the non-union sector have come to us and have become members. There have not been any members in recent times that have qiut the union to join an Open shop company.”
“Let me ask you this, has anyone you know ever retired from the sprinkler industry working for an Open shop? There is a reason for this, Open shops do not provide for pension plans in the Detroit area like the plans that you would enjoy as a member of Local 704.”
“Ask yourself, how are you going to provide for you and your family as you get older? Can you ever retire with full health care benefits and two pensions like you could if you were a member of Local 704?”
Tim Trujillo - Local 704 Organizer
Contact me
Read the full Local 704 Organizing fact sheet HERE in PDF format.
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