Union Worker Rights
Employees are not required to join a union, but those who do not join the union may still have to pay union fees, depending on the employer and the state in which the employee works. Union shops, which are places of employment, companies and government agencies, do not require employees to join the union, but non-members must pay the union dues. Unions represent employees in collective bargaining, and provide services to all represented employees.
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Forming Unions
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All employees not only have the right to join a union, but if no union exists at their job, the employees have the right to start a union. If employees form a union, the employer may not threaten to fire any of the employees. In addition to not being able to fire any of the employees, the employer may not close down the business operation because a union was formed.
Dangerous Working Environment
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An employer has the right to change an employee's working duties, if it is company policy or in the employee's original job description. When reasons cause the employer to downsize, an employer may transfer an employee to another position, so the employee keeps employment. However, if an employer gives the employee a difficult or dangerous job that he or she is not properly trained for because the employee joined the union, this is a violation of the union worker's rights.
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Termination
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When an employee is fired by an employer, it may not be at-will for those workers who belong to the union. Termination of a unionized employee is governed by the union. The union has rights to use collective-bargaining agreements to maintain the job for the union worker, or work out a deal in the best interest of the employee. The negotiations are made between the head of the union or other union superiors and the employer.
Strikes
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When a union strikes, the members of the union will need to strike as well. A union worker is eligible to receive strike pay, which is much less than his regular wages. An employer may not fire a union worker who strikes, because it is her right to do so. During the strike, an employer can hire workers to replace the union workers until the strike is over. Negotiations will decide if and when the union workers return to work, usually a rehire list for when vacancies occur.
Membership
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Those who join the union have rights within the union itself. Some workers join the union early on in his or her employment, to have an organization that can stand up for them and bargain for them with the company. However, when the time comes that an employee no longer wants to be in the union, that employee has the right to terminate his or her membership.
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