Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a grievance procedure?
• What is a labor contract?
• How is overtime addressed in a labor contract?
• Is holiday pay part of a labor contract?
• Does a labor contract determine wages?
• Is a pension provided for in a labor contract
• Can health insurance be a negotiated contract item?
• Is seniority a contract item?

A grievance procedure insures workers their rights on the job, which entails settling contract disputes in an orderly manner. The procedure also provides worker support while resolving the grievance, and it establishes due process by allowing an appeal through binding arbitration.

A labor contract provides a defined work schedule - when the week begins and ends, along with shift schedules. Without a contract, a workweek begins and ends at the discretion of the employer. It could actually change from day to day, week to week, month to month. Many times it does!

Overtime pay is spelled out in terms of rates and scheduling such as, for all time worked in excess of eight hours in a 24 hour period, weekend work, holidays worked, etc. The contract also spells out whether overtime is voluntary or mandatory along with the ground rules for determining how it is scheduled.

The number of holidays and holiday pay is the result of the bargaining process and is outlined in the contract as to how they are scheduled. How paid holidays relate to weekends and overtime assignments is also detailed in a contract.

Wages and hourly rates are explicitly spelled out in the contract. The contract provides a wage schedule for negotiated hourly increases along with provisions for rate increases for new hires. It is a fact that organized Association members make higher wages.

Pensions, savings and retirement programs rank extremely high in terms of negotiated benefits with Association members. These are not gifts by employers, but are the results of hard-fought collective bargaining efforts.

Health programs such as medical, dental, vision and long term disability are negotiated benefits for Association workers and their families.

Senority is probably the most important factor of a labor contract. Seniority is often said to be the backbone of the Association. Many say it was the primary reason unions were first formed. Seniority insures that workers are not discarded or given lesser jobs and benefits as they age, solely on the argument of performance and more products. Seniority provides employees the opportunity to work jobs according to preference.

Contrary to what some employers may think, seniority is a method that brings a great measure of orderliness, fairness and sanity to the workplace. It is a tool for equitably scheduling jobs, job bidding, working overtime, vacations, layoffs and recall rights. It provides consistency in how the workplace runs; a way to do business that excludes the political and personality factors that effect decision making