• We deserve to have a say in the major decisions that affect our work.
• The Mariners can afford to pay us better wages and benefits.
• Many Mariners employees have a union already, from the players to the food service employees. Why not us?
What are the main benefits of having a union at work?
Better Wages & Benefits: Union members earn 27 per cent more on average than workers who aren’t union members and also enjoy health and retirement benefits.
A Voice at the Table: We’ll have the strength to negotiate over issues that affect our careers and lives like improved wages, benefits, and working conditions.
How do we form our union?
Step 1: A majority of us need to sign union authorization cards. Signing a card authorizes the union to work with us to negotiate wages, benefits and working conditions.
Step 2: An arbitrator will verify that a majority of employees want to join our union.
Step 3: Team store employees negotiate our union contract. We will all have the chance to complete surveys and attend meetings to identify key issues before negotiations begin. Then, a Negotiating Committee made up of our co-workers and supported by a trained union negotiator will negotiate a contract. Finally, we will vote on whether to accept or reject the contract.
Can I be disciplined during this process?
Federal law ensures your right to organize and improve your working conditions. It is illegal for management to threaten, harass, or discriminate against anyone because of union activity. Moreover, Mariners management has agreed to respect our right to form a union by staying neutral in the process.
What about dues?
No one pays any dues until we’ve negotiated, reviewed and voted to accept our contract. Dues support the work the union does on our behalf, which is often costly.
The amount paid in dues is small compared with the higher pay and benefits gained through collective bargaining. There is no initiation fee for any of us.