Negotiations & Your Union Contract

Improving Our Jobs

Working together, we campaign for contracts to improve our jobs, make sure we’re all treated fairly, and secure the resources we need in order to provide services we can be proud of.

Our union contract (called a collective bargaining agreement) spells out our rights and benefits, such as:

• Pay levels and raises
• Health insurance coverage
• Retirement benefits
• Job security
• Scheduling and promotions
• Vacations, sick time, & holidays
• Rules requiring fair treatment and procedures for resolving problems

NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS
Members meet to decide what improvements we need to fight for and to elect a team to lead negotiations.

1199 nursing home workers discuss next steps in contract negotiations

To win a good contract, workers have to show management that we are united. We often must organize support from community groups or elected officials to convince management to reach a fair agreement.

Negotiation sessions are open to all members at the worksite ("in the bargaining unit"). Everyone has the right to vote on the final proposal. If the proposed contract is not acceptable or an agreement can’t be reached, then members vote on what action to take next.