
Yes. The union is the exclusive representative. It does have a duty to represent you fairly, but it can make decisions in your arbitration (including the decision to invoke arbitration) even though you disagree with the union’s decision.
What does Union Settlement do to help small businesses?
Union Settlement received $500,000 in unrestricted funding to support our continued work in providing technical assistance to small businesses owned by people of color in East Harlem that have been disproportionately impacted by the unprecedented health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can I get help from a union?
There are other sources of information and advice available, but they won't give you the personal service a union will. If you are not a union member and you work in a non-union workplace, a union may still be prepared to help (especially if it leads to them gaining members and ultimately recognition with your employer).
Should I join the Union if I have a grievance?
You have the right to be accompanied by a union officer in a formal grievance hearing with your employer, and your union may back you in further legal hearings if you have a good case. If you are not a union member but you work in a unionised workplace, you should join the union.
What to do if your employer does not recognise a union?
If you are a union member and your employer does not recognise a union, you should still seek advice from your union. You have the right to be accompanied by a union officer in a formal grievance hearing with your employer, and your union may back you in further legal hearings if you have a good case.

What can a union do for me?
Union members work together to negotiate and enforce a contract with management that guarantees the things you care about like decent raises, affordable health care, job security, and a stable schedule. Better workplaces and working conditions without the fear of retaliation.
How do you negotiate a settlement with an employer?
Framing the negotiations is imperative: Make a clear offer. Explain the benefit to the employer of settling. Explain the alternative. Set deadlines for settlement so you swiftly move forward with a finding if the matter does not settle.
What to do when your union isn't helping you?
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is a Federal agency that protects your right to join together with other employees to improve your wages and working conditions, with or without the help of a union. For assistance, please call: 1-844-762-NLRB (1-844-762-6572)
How long do union negotiations take?
It's our analysis of these dates that gives us the mean negotiation length of 409 days. (The median is 356 days.)
Can I ask my employer for a settlement agreement?
Whilst employers are usually the ones to take the first step in offering a settlement agreement, it is possible to request a settlement agreement from your employer.
How much should I expect in a settlement agreement?
The rough 'rule of thumb' that is generally used to determine the value of a settlement agreement (in respect of compensation for termination of employment) is two to three months' gross salary.
Can you sue your employer if you have a union?
You can file an administrative complaint against the union for its decision not to proceed with your grievance, but you cannot sue your employer or the union in court.
What are disadvantages of unions?
Here are some of the downsides of labor unions.Unions do not provide representation for free. Unions aren't free. ... Unions may pit workers against companies. ... Union decisions may not always align with individual workers' wishes. ... Unions can discourage individuality. ... Unions can cause businesses to have to increase prices.
Who holds unions accountable?
The National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency vested with the power to safeguard employees' rights to organize and to determine whether to have unions as their bargaining representative.
What are 3 areas a union considers when negotiating?
There are three main classification of bargaining topics: mandatory, permissive, and illegal. Wages, health and safety, management rights, work conditions, and benefits fall into the mandatory categoryA collective bargaining topic, such as wages, that must be discussed in the agreement.. Permissive topics.
What should I ask for in union negotiations?
What to Ask For During Union Contract NegotiationsWage increases.Health insurance, including employee share of costs.Retirement plans, including employer/employee contributions.Vacations.Holidays.Paid leave for a pandemic or other major health events.Reimbursement for the cost of safety supplies.
Can a union strike during negotiations?
During the life of a collective bargaining agreement, unions cannot strike. Unions frequently get approval from their members to call a strike before negotiations begin.
What percentage should I offer to settle debt?
When you're negotiating with a creditor, try to settle your debt for 50% or less, which is a realistic goal based on creditors' history with debt settlement. If you owe $3,000, shoot for a settlement of up to $1,500.
How do you ask for more money in a settlement?
Send a Detailed Demand Letter to the Insurance Company Because the insurance company will likely reply with an offer for an amount lower than what you've asked for in the demand letter, you should ask for between 25 and 100 percent more than what you would be willing to settle for.
How do I write a counter offer for a settlement?
What To Include In Counter Offer. In the letter, you will need to refer to the offer made by the insurance company and when it was made. You will then need to reiterate why you think you are owed damages from the other party and why you think that offer was low.
How do you negotiate a better settlement?
Influence in settlement negotiations: 15 tipsPersuading others. ... “Pre-suasion” ... Don't offer options at the outset. ... Keep requests simple. ... The Rule of “Liking” ... The power of “unity”
Annual Report
We are pleased to share our FY 21 Annual Report which details how we have continued to provide services throughout the pandemic to the 10,000 East Harlem residents we serve each year.
Empowering East Harlem Since 1895
Through vital programs, we equip our East Harlem neighbors to better their lives and achieve their dreams.
What happens if I don’t accept a settlement agreement?
If the employee rejects the offer often the underlying risk is that the employee’s employment may be terminated following the completion of the relevant process.
When are settlement agreements offered?
Settlement agreements are typically offered when an employee is leaving their job. Group Scenarios – such as large-scale redundancy or dismissal processes when an employer is offering an enhanced termination (voluntary redundancy) payment.
What is a settlement agreement?
A settlement agreement is a legally binding document between and employee and employer, which settles claims the employee may have arising from the employment or termination of employment. The employee must be advised by a qualified independent adviser, usually a solicitor, before signing the agreement.
How to protect a settlement agreement conversation?
If the conversation is protected it can’t be used. If an employer has made an offer and it’s not protected, that could be used as leverage in negotiations by an employee or to support an unfair dismissal claim.
How do I respond to a low offer?
If the offer isn’t anywhere near the ballpark you’d accept, you may decide to reject it and make it clear you see no point making a counter offer as your miles apart . That’s a bold strong move but risks killing off the negotiations and pushing you towards a dispute and tribunal claim.
Why do employers need to sign a second agreement after termination?
This is commonly called a reaffirmation certificate or agreement because the employee is asked to reaffirm the waiver of claims.
Is an offer inadmissible if the without prejudice rule does not apply?
In some instances, even if the without prejudice rule does not apply, the offer may still be inadmissible in relation to ordinary unfair dismissal claim only – if it is deemed to be a protected conversation ( Section 111A ERA 1996). That means the discussion about settlement is open for the purposes of other claims, for example discrimination (unless the without prejudice rule applies).
What to do if your employer does not recognise you as a union?
If you are a union member and your employer does not recognise a union, you should still seek advice from your union. You have the right to be accompanied by a union officer in a formal grievance hearing with your employer, and your union may back you in further legal hearings if you have a good case. If you are not a union member but you work in ...
Can a union help you if you are not a union member?
There are other sources of information and advice available, but they won't give you the personal service a union will. If you are not a union member and you work in a non-union workplace, a union may still be prepared to help (especially if it leads to them gaining members and ultimately recognition with your employer).
What are the duties of a union after a union is chosen?
After employees choose a union as a bargaining representative, the employer and union are required to meet at reasonable times to bargain in good faith about wages, hours, vacation time, insurance, safety practices and other mandatory subjects. Some managerial decisions such as subcontracting, relocation, and other operational changes may not be mandatory subjects of bargaining, but the employer must bargain about the decision's effects on unit employees.
What is the purpose of questioning employees about their union sympathies or activities?
Questioning employees about their union sympathies or activities in circumstances that tend to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees in the exercise of their rights under the Act . Promising benefits to employees to discourage their union support. Transferring, laying off, terminating, assigning employees more difficult work tasks, ...
What happens if an agency finds that an impasse was not reached?
If the Agency finds that impasse was not reached, the employer will be asked to return to the bargaining table. In an extreme case, the NLRB may seek a federal court order to force the employer to bargain.
Why is it important to bargain in good faith?
The additional requirement to bargain in "good faith" was incorporated to ensure that a party did not come to the bargaining table and simply go through the motions. There are objective criteria that the NLRB will review to determine if the parties are honoring their obligation to bargain in good faith, such as whether the party is willing to meet at reasonable times and intervals and whether the party is represented by someone who has the authority to make decisions at the table.
What are some examples of employer conduct that violates the law?
Examples of employer conduct that violates the law: Threatening employees with loss of jobs or benefits if they join or vote for a union or engage in protected concerted activity. Threatening to close the plant if employees select a union to represent them. Questioning employees about their union sympathies or activities in circumstances ...
What is the duty to bargain in good faith?
The duty to bargain in good faith is an obligation to participate actively in the deliberations so as to indicate a present intention to find a basis for agreement. This implies both an open mind and a sincere desire to reach an agreement as well as a sincere effort to reach a common ground.
How long does it take to pay union dues?
The NLRA allows employers and unions to enter into union-security agreements, which require all employees in a bargaining unit to become union members and begin paying union dues and fees within 30 days of being hired .
How do unions gain support?
The most important way a union gains the support of a new member or a potential new member is by one-on-one contact with the steward. You not only want to provide new workers with information, but need to build a personal relationship and begin to get them involved in union activities from their first day on the job.
Who should provide the new worker with a copy of the union contract?
The steward should provide the new worker with a copy of the union contract, and sign the worker up into the union, and not leave that to management.
What happens if a grievance goes unfiled?
Every grievance that goes un-filed undermines the contract people struggled hard to win. While most members see changes and problems only in terms of the impact on them, the steward needs to be able to understand a grievance’s impact on the contract and the union as a whole. Remember, the union has the right to file a grievance even if the worker involved doesn’t want to. When a basic principle is involved that could affect other workers, the steward should file the grievance.
What is a steward in a union?
Stewards are much more than grievance handlers. They are the key people in the local who mobilize the membership. They must be talkin’ union and fightin’ union all the time. Each and every grievance and incident must be looked at in terms of how it can increase participation, build the union, and create new leaders. The union is built by involving the members in winning grievances. From wearing buttons and stickers, to signing petitions, working to rule or acting as witnesses for the union during grievance meetings, these actions help build the union.
How effective are stewards?
Stewards are most effective when they work as a team. Each steward should know what is happening in different work areas. Stewards should check with the chief steward, other officers or even older union members to make sure they understand past practices that may exist in the workplace.
How is a union built?
The union is built by involving the members in winning grievances. From wearing buttons and stickers, to signing petitions, working to rule or acting as witnesses for the union during grievance meetings, these actions help build the union.
Why do stewards meet with management alone?
More importantly, when the steward meets with management alone, it takes away an opportunity for members to participate in the union and to understand that it’s really their organization. Sometimes it is hard to avoid meeting with a supervisor or foreman alone.
