Why join a Construction Trade Union? It's a question that has been answered over and over by Ohio's Union Construction Trades for more than a century.
To help address that question, below are some answers to common questions regarding Unions and the non-union sector.
If you have another particular question about Construction Trade Unions in Ohio, please contact us.
Without union representation, workers have no freedom of speech; If you speak out against your employer or for your fellow workers, you can be punished by your employer.
Without union representation, workers can be terminated for any reason or no reason at all (as long as you cannot demonstrate that such termination was due to a violation of your statutory rights, that is, unlawful discrimination).
Without union representation, the employers have almost all the rights and can change your pay and working conditions at any time (as long as they do not violate certain laws).
Union dues are a small percentage of wages and pay for the Union to bargain and represent its members.
Union dues are an investment; Union members receive a far greater return on that investment each year with greater wages and benefits.
Union dues go towards activities and programs that ensure job security, wage increases and fringe benefits such as high-quality, affordable family health insurance.
Unions STILL improve the lives of working people in Ohio and the United States by helping working people gain better contracts, enact better labor laws and create better communities – issues that will also be important in the future.
Unions have historically brought workers together for mutual protection and benefit, which Construction Trades Workers need now as much as ever.
Unions are preparing the construction workforce of the FUTURE ... (APPRENTICE STATS NEEDED HERE).
Union representation can improve any workplace or employer, making jobs more secure and fair by always holding the company accountable.
Union representation provides protection from sudden and arbitrary unfair treatment by the employer, which could come at any time should the employer's situation change – and there is no way for non-union workers to take action against changed policies and workplace rules.
NO. A Union is a democratic organization made up of employees, and every Union Local operates autonomously with checks and balances in their constitutions and by-laws to assure democratic procedures and membership control of the Union.
NO. In general, a lack of financial control and regulation in any organization makes corruption possible, but Unions maintain democracy and membership control through their constitutions and by-laws.
NO. The Taft-Hartley Act requires significant financial and other reporting to the U.S. Department of Labor by unions. In modern times, it's rare for union leaders to face corruption allegations.