You're Done Organizing. Now What?
A step-by-step guide to negotiating your first union contract.
Steps of Negotiation
Step 1
Members elect a Bargaining Committee to represent them in negotiations with their IAEP Chief Negotiator.
Step 2
The Bargaining Committee and Negotiator work with you and your members to find out what you want to see change or stay the same in your contract. They prepare proposals based on these ideas.
Step 3
The Bargaining Committee and Negotiator finalize bargaining proposals and request dates to meet with management.
Step 4
The Bargaining Committee and Negotiator meet with management to make proposals and negotiate over the language of your contract.
Step 5
Management and the Union reach a tentative agreement or draft complete contract. You and your fellow members meet with the Bargaining Committee and Negotiator to learn more about the changes in the contract before you vote to approve or not.
Step 6
You and your fellow members vote to approve and implement the new agreement. The terms of this contract take effect and your local leadership can begin working with management to implement any new rules.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT NEGOTIATIONS
Does the employer have to negotiate with the union?
Yes. The employer is legally obligated to bargain in good faith with the union.
Why does it take so long to get a contract?
Each contract is written to suit the needs of the members in question. We do not carbon copy contracts from unit to unit; we take in every request the members have and do our best to negotiate with their employer to secure them.
How long does it take to negotiate a contract?
Typically, it takes 6-8 months for an initial contract, depending on demands of members.
Who negotiates the contract for the union?
The bargaining committee negotiates the terms of the contract. This committee consists of members that are elected by the Local and your national negotiator, who is provided to you by the union.
What can we ask for in a contract?
The three major categories are wages, working conditions, & benefits. These include but are not limited to: health insurances, retirement plans, PTO, schedules, training guidelines, uniform allocation, and grievance procedures.
What happens if the contract doesn't pass?
During the contract vote, you can add notes to your vote. If a vote fails, we analyze these responses and return to the table to amend the contract appropriately.
When does the contract take effect?
Immediately following the approval of the bargaining committee, the completion of information sessions held for any who wish to better understand the contract line by line, & a vote by the entire Local to officially ratify.
How long is a contract good for?
Contracts are typically good for and in force for a period of two to three years after ratification. This number can vary depending on the demands of the Local.
To be free, the workers must have choice. To have choice, they must retain in their own hands the right to determine under what conditions they will work.
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Samuel Gompers