Why do workers join unions in BC like UFCW 1518?
In today’s economy people need job security. One of the most common reasons workers start a union in BC is to make sure they aren’t unfairly disciplined just because their boss is in a bad mood.
One of the major advantages of joining a union in BC is that your rights and working conditions are outlined in a collective agreement (contract). The contract ensures that your rights are protected.
It’s well established that unionized employees in BC make more money than non unionized workers in the same job classification: but did you know that workers who join a union also get more hours?
According to Statistics Canada, part time workers that are unionized earn almost twice what they would make if they weren’t in a union like UFCW.
With or without a union, Walmart associates deserve to get their scheduling weeks in advance like retail workers in a union.
With some minor changes, and a commitment to respecting associates’ scheduling, Walmart can ensure you know when you are working and you feel relieved that it is not going to change at the last minute!
1. Plan your life
If you know your schedule by noon on the Friday, for the 2nd week thereafter, you are able to schedule appointments, arrange child care, and simply plan your life.
2. Prepare for work
When you know that your schedule will not change at the last minute, you are less stressed, ready for work, and not busy cancelling other obligations.
3. Enjoy your free time
Oh yeah, between everything else, knowing your schedule is set, you can also enjoy and maximize your free time!
Most people join a union to get respect and fairness, but better pay isn’t a bad thing either.
Workers have found that the only effective way to meet the power held by employers and supervisors is to act together. This collective action is most often expressed by joining a union.
British Columbia Labour Laws ensure every worker has the right to join a union. Your employer can’t prevent you from joining a union or make threats if you join a union.
There are many reasons why workers join unions, and it varies from individual to individual, but usually it is about fairness, respect, better pay and having a voice at work. In BC, if the majority of a company’s employees indicate they want to join a union, then they are protected by law.
The first step in joining a union is showing the labour board there is interest in having a vote at your workplace. The labour board wants some workers to show they are interested in joining before they hold a vote. This is done through union cards. These cards are confidential. Your employer sees the cards and never knows who has signed a card
In British Columbia, if over 45% of workers sign a union card, the labour board will order a secret ballot vote to be held. The vote is similar to a provincial election. No one will ever know how you voted. If a majority of workers vote yes to joining UFCW 1518 then you will have a union at your workplace.
UFCW 1518 members have come to expect the very best in negotiated benefits in their collective agreements.
The experienced negotiators on staff with Local 1518 are consistently successful in negotiating among the best collective agreements in BC, often surpassing the expectations of our members.
For example, when the government increased the fees for the Medical Services Plan, members that joined our union did not have to pay the increase.Instead their employer paid the increase for them because that was what was negotiated into the collective agreements. It is innovative collective bargaining such as this that keeps more money in our members pockets and insures they receive the best available health care coverage.
In addition to using our skills as negotiators to win the very best possible collective agreements, we apply those skils to obtaining other services for our members.
Through our association with the Working Enterprise group of companies, workers that form a union have been able to obtain a number of valuable services at reduced prices.
Tenant, Home Owner and Condo Insurance
Income Tax Preparation Service
Free Legal Consultation
Worker Compensation Decision Appeals
These are just some of the outstanding benefits and services Local 1518 members are eligible to receive just by forming a union.
Throughout the retail sector, senior-clerks and mid level management are on the front lines working with customers and new clerks, and also work with senior management behind the scenes.
Walmart has the opportunity to lead the sector by providing increased wages that respect the difficulty that comes with Mid-level management titles.
A pay ladder for employees that have earned these positions will help create sustainable long term careers at Walmart that can be a leading industry standard.
The large size and scale of these growing stores requires increased layers of senior and mid-management positions, and these workers deserve to be paid fairly for this work!
A pay ladder and proper training, that provides incentive for mid-level managers and senior clerks, instead of just a new title, will improve the quality throughout the stores!
When you organize a union with UFCW 1518, you can expect the very best representation available in dealing with your employer.
We put our members interests first in all that we do.
When you organize a union, you can expect to receive the most innovative approaches to collective bargaining, grievance handling and arbitration.
You can expect to get the very best possible collective agreement and benefits available to the members in your workplace.
You can expect an aggressive approach to representing members and attaining for them the very best in wages and benefits.
You can expect to have access to benefits outside the collective agreement that are only available to members that organize a union with UFCW 1518.
EXAMINE THE RECORD YOURSELF!
Absolutely! All employees have the right to join a union in BC regardless of where they work.
Compare your wages at your private liquor store with other unionized beer and wine stores in BC and decide whether you deserve a raise:
Starting Wages – Union Stores
$14.42/hr – Sgt. Oflaherty’s Cold Beer, Wine & Spirit Cellar - Kamloops
$13.97/hr – Fairview Liquor Store – Vancouver
$14.74/hr – Aberdeen Private Liquor Store – Kamloops
$13.93/hr - Cap’s Cold Beer, Wine & Liquor Store – Kelowna
$16.00/hr – Liquor Distribution Branch – Various
Other compensation included: guaranteed overtime pay, health benefits, pension benefits, protectios against working alone, guaranteed annual raises and no harassment clauses.
1. Pay Associates What they are Worth
Walmart could lead the corporate world in becoming a living wage employer. Walmart should increase its wages to ensure that everyone is paid above the poverty line.
2. Recognize Associates Achievements
Treating people with respect and fairness helps improve morale and productivity.
3. Improve Scheduling
Give schedules in advance and avoid making changes without informing associates.
4. Eliminate Favouritism
Favouritism doesn’t help anyone.
5. Make it easier to qualify for benefits
Benefits should be increased to union levels. Healthy employees make healthy communities.
6. Pay mid-level managers according to industry standards.
People should be rewarded appropriately not just with titles but with corresponding pay increases. Mid-level managers at Walmart should be paid the same as other mid-level managers.