The primary purpose of a union is to represent workers in their employment, to negotiate a contract that improves wages, benefits, working conditions and to protect workers from unfair treatment. The issues important to you and your co-workers are the issues that will shape and form the collective bargaining agreement. At the close of negotiations the tentative contract is offered to the workers for their approval or rejection. This tentative contract can only take effect if it is ratified by the workers at your facility. Therefore, you and your co-workers determine what happensNO ONE ELSE!

The union leadership is elected in a strict democratic process. The officers are nominated and elected from among Local 181's own membership. Elections are held for Local 181 officers every three years. The current slate of officers is listed on this web site. Click this link: Elected Officers to go there now. (Link to Local 181 Officers Page) It is important to note that as described above, Local 181's officers are members. Every officer has worked under a collective bargaining agreement like every other member. The shoes they put on each morning are those of working people just like you. Local 181's elected officials were selected to run the day to day business of this union because of their skills, commitment and ability to serve the membership.

Of course. Membership in Local 181, like membership in any other organization, comes with the obligation to pay periodic dues. These dues are set by a vote of the membership. The dues help pay for the costs of representing workers interests, collective bargaining and the business administration of the union. However, consider that the dues you pay for union representation are substantially more than offset by the gains in wages alone! According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average difference between union pay vs. non-union pay for the same occupation is $154.00 per week or $7,392.00 per year. Even after allowing for the cost of union dues it pays to be union.

Your facility will never be forced to strike. Local 181 is a democratic organization and unless a majority of your co-workers vote to strike no one can force anything! Consider the following information: Fact: Strikes are very uncommon today. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor reveal that 98% of all labor agreements are reached without a strike.

Strikes usually happen when employers are unwilling to meet realistic proposals made during contract negotiations. In deciding the question of a strike....
...it is always the workers who make that choice!
Management knows that if they bargain reasonably the chance of a strike is zero. On the other hand management knows that if they do not negotiate fairly and equitability the workers may vote to strike. This threat is important. Without it there is no true collective bargaining. Don't forget the information from the U.S. Dept. of Labor that 98% of all labor agreements are reached without a strike.

The law prohibits the employer from discriminating against workers involved in union activity, especially during an organizing campaign. However, the question really becomes "Will my employer break the law and discipline, even fire me because of my union involvement? If the answer is yes what does that say about your employer? One of the core elements of Unionization is that of ..."Mutual Aid Or Protection"... It is your right to work toward and vote for unionization. Now the question becomes will I allow myself to be intimidated? Only you have that answer. In the case of illegal actions by your employer Local 181 will fight for your rights. Local 181 will, with your cooperation, file charges against the offending employer with the NLRB without cost to you. Local 181 will use all its resources, including labor attorneys, to build your case against the offending employer with the goal of restoration of your job including all back wages and benefits. Further we will demand that the company stop their illegal and intimidating acts. If necessary, Local 181 will file an injunction against the company that will bring punitive damages.

Local 181 will guarantee that workers who organize have bargaining power! When elected, Local 181 will form a Negotiating Committee. One or more of your co-workers will be a member this committee and attend every planning & negotiating session that takes place. Local 181 can guarantee that the U.S. Dept. of Labor statistics showing union employees making $154.00 per week or $7,392.00 per year more than their non-union counterpart is proof positive of what unionization and collective bargaining can do for you.

The truth is without a legally binding contract the benefits and pay you now receive can be taken away in the blink of an eye. Not only does unionization mean higher wages and benefits; unionization means that for the duration of the contract the company must meet it's obligations which are spelled out in the collective bargaining agreement. Should the company fail in its obligation the contract is legally enforceable.

Simply getting to an election is not what your hard work and our hard work is about. Winning the election is what we are about! Therefore, Signing the "A" card is a commitment to Local 181. It means that you support unionization at your work place. It means that you want Local 181 to represent you for the purpose of collective bargaining. It means that you are strong enough and committed enough to resist the lies, misinformation, deception and intimidation your employer will offer. It means that by signing the "A" Card you are going to vote to support the union. If you cannot make that commitment then... "PLEASE DON'T SIGN THE "A" CARD"!

Absolutely not! This is the old "Pie" argument that so many employers like to use. They claim the "Pie" is just so big and if you take a bigger slice in one place, like for higher wages, that makes the slice in another place, like for retirement smaller. Through the collective bargaining process we are able to ..."Make The Pie Bigger". The extra money comes from the companies deep pockets, they definitely don't like it but with collective bargaining the workers................"Pie Gets Bigger"!

Headquarters Location

700 N. Elm Street Henderson, KY 42419-0034

Phone: (270) 826-2704
Fax: (270) 827-2014

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Contact District Branches

District 1 - (270) 826-2704

District 2 - (812) 474-1811

District 3 - (502) 636-1476

District 4 - (859) 278-8458

District 5 - (270) 443-7766

District 6 - (606) 739-0067