Better Jobs. Better Lives.
Wabtec workers are forming a union and demanding fairness, respect and a voice on the job.
STRENGTH
There’s strength in numbers. The IAM is 600,000 members strong and fighting every day to improve our jobs.
SECURITY
You can’t put a price tag on peace of mind. Unions assure our jobs are secure and protect us against undue punishment.
VOICE
IAM members sit down with their managers and negotiate over wages, benefits, changes in the workplace, staffing levels, and more.
What’s an Authorization Card?
Collecting authorization cards is how we know there’s a genuine interest in forming a Union. Once enough cards are collected, we can petition the federal government for a Union election. Signing a card does not mean you have joined the Union. That’s an entirely separate process. Don’t let management scare you with misleading information about the authorization card. Otherwise, they win and provide themselves even more control over the workforce. Take a moment and watch a short video explaining the authorization card.
IAM Members Live Better
With nearly 600,000 active and retired members, the IAM is one of the largest and most diverse labor unions in North America. From Boeing and Lockheed Martin to United Airlines and Harley-Davidson, you will find IAM members across all walks of life. IAM members demand respect and dignity in the workplace. Together, we have been able to bargain for increased job security, higher wages and improved benefits.
Your Rights Under the Law
Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), you and your co-workers have certain rights when it comes to forming a union.
You have the right to:
- Form, join or assist a union to negotiate with your employer over your wages, benefits and other working conditions.
- Distribute union literature
- Wear union swag that complies with regular uniform/dress code
- Ask co-workers to sign authorization cards
- Discuss the union with co-workers on non-work time.
Your supervisor/manager cannot:
- Spy on you, coercively question you, threaten you or bribe you regarding your union activity.
- Prohibit their workers from talking about or soliciting for a union during non-work time (including before and after work or during breaks).
- Fire, discipline, demote, or penalize their workers for engaging in any of the above mentioned activities.
Work Life Balance
We are often at the mercy of our managers when it comes to scheduling, which generally means long and inconsistent hours. As union members, you will have a say in notice and scheduling to adequately plan for your work and family responsibilities.
Fairness
A union-negotiated contract puts rules in place that allow you to do your job without fear of retaliation or unjust treatment. If you feel those rules have been broken, you have the legal right to appeal through a grievance procedure. As a result, everyone is treated with respect.
More Money
Union members earn roughly $200 more every week than non-members. But it’s so much more than that. It’s about negotiating with your bosses over set wage increases that can’t change at management’s whim.
Voice
Union members get a seat at the table. When management makes big decisions without consulting the workers who will implement them, union members are empowered to stand up and say no.
Building Stronger Communities
IAM members are lending a helping hand in many ways and in many places.