Union

Union Objectives

Economic Objectives. These objectives are the means by which the workers can satisfy their primary and secondary needs through higher wages, shorter hours of work, and the various employee benefits, such as vacation leave, sick leave, hospitalization, medical, and insurance plans.

Political Objectives. The political objectives are the means by which the union can promote its power and prestige through (1) lobbying activities designed to secure the passage of favorable legislation and opposing unfavorable proposed laws; and (2) supporting and campaigning for political offices who are friendly to labor.

Activities of Unions

1. Negotiating a contract of employment relationship with management.

2. Handling the complaints and grievances of employees.

3. Enlisting, organizing, and indoctrinating new members.

4. Financing the work of the union.

5. Handling legal cases and pertinent problems of the union or of its members and, where necessary, representing them in court or before government bodies, like the National Labor Relations Commission, the Labor Arbiters, etc.

6. Conducting research work on union problems and projects.

7. Conducting political action.

8. Establishing welfare activities for the members.

9. Establishing linkages with other organizations.

10. Engaging in livelihood programs for their members.

11. Involvement in community activities.

Types of Unions

Industrial Union Ð'- includes all workers in its ranks in a particular firm or plant regardless of occupation.

Craft Union Ð'- is one in which membership is restricted to persons working in the same trade or a related occupation in the firm.

Rights of Legitimate Labor Organization

1. To act as the representative of its members for the purpose of collective bargaining.

2. To be certified as the exclusive representative of all the employees in an appropriate collective bargaining unit for purposes of collective bargaining.

3. To own property, real or personal, for the use and benefit of the labor organization and its members

4. To sue and be sued in its registered name.

5. To undertake all other activities designed to benefit the organization and its members, including cooperative, housing welfare and other projects not contrary to law.

Rights and Conditions of Membership

1. No arbitrary or excessive initiation and membership fees.

2. Right to full and detailed financial reports.

3. Election of officers by secret ballot at intervals of 5 years.

4. To determine by secret ballot, any question of major policy affecting the entire membership of the organization.

5. Not to knowingly admit as member or continue in membership any individual who belongs to a subversive organization or who is engaged directly or indirectly in any subversive activity.

6. No persons convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude shall be eligible for election as a union officer or appointed to any position in the union.

7. No officer, agent or member of a labor organization shall collect any fees, dues, or other contributions in its behalf, or make any disbursement of its moneys or funds unless duly authorized.

8. Funds of the organization shall be applied only for purposes or objects expressly provided by its constitution and by-laws or through written resolution adopted by majority of its members.

9. Issuance of receipts for every payment of fees, dues or other contributions.

10. Officers shall not be paid any compensation other than the salaries and expenses due their positions as provided in their constitution and by-laws or by written resolution by a majority of all members at a general assembly.

11. The treasurer and officer responsible for the accounts or for collection, management, disbursement, custody or control of funds and properties of the organization shall render a true and correct account of these transactions, at least once a year, or when required by majority resolution, or upon vacating his office.

12. The books of accounts and other records of financial activities shall be opened to inspection by any other officer or member.

13. No special assessments, attorney's fees, negotiation fees or any other extraordinary fees, unless authorized by written resolution/authorization.

14. Information on the provisions of its constitution and by-laws, CBA, and other union affairs.

Federation of Union

- is an organization of affiliated local unions duly registered with the Department of Labor and Employment.

Local Union

- is one formed by employees in a particular company, plant, or geographical area.

Independent Union

- a union not affiliated with any federation of unions.

Union Security

A term applied to a provision in a collective bargaining agreement whereby an employer agrees with the contracting union to maintain in his firm certain conditions of employment designed to protect the union against loss of membership or loss of income derived from membership dues

Forms of Union Security

1. Closed Shop Ð'- is an agreement between a firm and a labor union whereby the employees covered by the bargaining unit must be members of the union in good standing during the life of the agreement between the company and the union as a condition to initial as well as continued employment, so long as the labor union is the authorized representative of the employees in that firm.

2. Union Shop Ð'- is an agreement between a firm and a labor union whereby the former agrees that