WHO DECIDES

It's important to understand:  it's the union, not the members, who decides what to accept or reject during bargaining.

 

Unions say the opposite, telling workers they would be the ones who decide.

The final vote: far fewer members voted in the second election.  The contract was just barely approved, 51% to 49%. 

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To learn more, click here.

United Steelworkers Union

  • Former President of United Steelworkers Local 4-318 (Edison, N.J.) guilty of embezzling $93,965.00.
  • Former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 561 (Lancaster, Ohio) guilty of embezzling $24,833.00.
  • Former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 15485 (Springfield, Mo.) guilty of stealing $12,284.00 in union funds.
  • Former President of United Steelworkers Local 2-47 (Green Bay, Wis.) guilty of theft of “an amount between $2,500 and $5,000.00.”
  • Former Treasurer for United Steelworkers Local 12-1097 (Westport, Ore.) guilty of embezzling $19,911.00.
  • Former President of United Steelworkers Local 378 (Aynor, S.C.) guilty of embezzling $9,345.00.
  • Former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 208 (Irving, Tex.) guilty of embezzling $54,416.00 of union funds.
  • Former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 458 (Plant City, Fla.) guilty of embezzling $43,941.00 in union funds.
  • Former Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 9-458 (Plant City, Fla.) guilty of embezzling $65,895.00.
  • Former Financial-Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 480 (Pottsville, Pa.) guilty of embezzling $2,626.00.

International Brotherhood of

Electrical Workers

  • Former Secretary-Treasurer of IBEW Local 2359 (Sugar Grove, Ohio) guilty of embezzling $158,150.00.
  • Former business manager for IBEW Local 898 (San Angelo, Tex.) guilty of embezzling $11,164.00.
  • Former business manager for IBEW Local 545 (St. Joseph, Mo.) guilty of embezzling $23,768.00.
  • Former dues clerk for IBEW Local 58 (Detroit, Mich.) guilty of embezzling $101,059.00. 
  • Former President of IBEW Local 249 (Geneva, N.Y.) guilty of embezzling $39,049.00.

International Association of Machinists

  • Former Business Representative of International Association of Machinists District Lodge 65 (St. Cloud, Minn.) guilty of stealing $5,919.00. 
  • Former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists Lodge 2458 (Minooka, Ill.) guilty of embezzling $62,263.00.

How did the members feel about losing pay raises while paying more for their health insurance?

 

IAM District 751 spokesperson Connie Kelliher said: “Members are very upset…our international president forced this vote…”

The Machinists Union has forced other workers to accept contracts they voted against.


At New Process Steel, the IAM forced members to accept a contract that kept them from voting the union out. The members filed this unfair labor practice charge against the IAM:

What do you think the National Labor Relations Board said? 

 

You might be surprised to learn - the NLRB dismissed the charges because "the union's ratification procedure was consistent with its constitution and by-laws and its past practice." 

 

In other words, that's how the IAM always does things, so it's all right according to the NLRB!

 

 

                                                                           To see the NLRB ruling, click here.


Almost every union says in their constitution that the International Union - NOT THE MEMBERS - controls that side of the bargaining table.  For example:​

  • Steelworkers: The International Union shall be the contracting party in all collective bargaining agreements and all such agreements shall be signed by the international officers.  Article XVII, p. 70. 
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers:   No Local Union shall put into effect any bylaw, amendment, rule or agreement of any kind without first securing such approval. All these shall be null and void without International President approval.  Article 15, Section 6, p. 45.
  • Utility Workers:  All contracts entered into by local unions shall be between the employer and the National Union on behalf of the local union involved, and shall be signed by local officers and a designated representative of the National Union.  Article VII, Section 4, pp. 24-25. 

THE BOTTOM LINE:


When the IAM passed out the flyer to SunCoke team members, they knew they weren't telling the truth.

 

It doesn't matter what the members want. 

 

Even though it's YOUR pay and benefits, UNION OFFICIALS decide what to accept or give away based on what THEY want. 


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