Workers join unions for simple but important reasons, such as…

• They want fair compensation – many workers work in an industry, profession, or trade where several workers do the same type of work, and they want to make as much as their coworkers or those who do the same work for other employers.
• They want to maintain or increase their pay – many workers see their wages reduced based on the willingness of others to do the same work for far less; as a result, what was once a good job, they fear, may no longer offer them a worthwhile future.
• They want safe working conditions – many workers believe illnesses or injuries result from a lack of adequate safety and skills training and increased profit-driven pressure to work more quickly.
• They want fair treatment – many works believe they are not treated fairly in scheduling, supplying what they need to do their jobs well, resolving disputes with their bosses, etc.
• They want to stop a steady decline in quality – many workers have pride in the work they do, but they may lack the right training, are stuck using inferior materials and techniques, or are not given the time to do their job right. 

 

Unions perform an important function: they negotiate a contract. The contract, called a Collective Bargaining Agreement, or CBA, outlines agreements between employees and employers about such matters as wages, benefits, and working conditions.

PDC 30's negotiation team is made up of experienced and highly knowledgeable leaders who determine appropriate wages, fringe benefits, and working conditions for the industry; understand state and federal labor law and can immediately and appropriately respond to unfair labor practices; have credible standing among regulatory agencies concerned with employment in Illinois and Wisconsin; and understand how to design effective fringe benefit plans (health care and pension) and see that they are appropriately funded.

 

Enforcing a contract means making sure both sides follow the agreed-upon rules. Unions use education and advocacy to prevent violations from occuring. They also establish strong relationships with local, state, and federal leaders who may be counted on when policies are proposed that could weaken the rights of unionized workers. When contracts are violated, they take actions to protect their members from loss of income, unsafe situations, and unfair working conditions.

PDC 30 has a staff of Business Agents who travel throughout the union’s region to see that the contract is being followed, a Joint Trade Board that reviews and renders judgment on complaints that the CBA has been violated, and an Office of Governmental Affairs that works closely with local, state, and federal political leaders to see that laws that help Labor are passed, and those that would hurt Labor fail.

In addition to establishing wages, benefits, and working conditions, CBAs establish "funds" to pay for health care, pensions for when workers retire, industry-specific training programs, and labor-management efforts to increase work opportunities. Such funds are funded by contributions negotiated as part of the total package of wages and benefits earned by employees for each hour they work. 

Through its CBA, PDC 30 has established several funds to provide benefits and services to members, such as a Joint Apprenticeship & Training Fund that administers the apprenticeship and training program; a Health & Welfare Fund that administers medical, prescription drug, vision, and dental insurance plans; a Pension Fund that administers a retirement plan; and a Labor Management Industry Development Fund that develops growth strategies to improve the industry and increase work opportunities.