Did you know that–by law–unions do not have to keep the promises they make during a union campaign?
That’s right. They can promise higher pay, better benefits, favorable schedules, and even more vacation. But they don’t have to keep the promises.
In a legal ruling known as The Smith Company, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) described union promises, such as those the UAW has been making, as nothing more than unenforceable “campaign propaganda.” [192 NLRB 1098, 1971 NLRB LEXIS 161 (1971)]
The ruling reads, in part:
Employees are generally able to understand that a union cannot obtain benefits automatically by winning an election but must seek to achieve them through collective bargaining.”
The Smith Company 192 NLRB 1098
That means you can’t really pin your hopes on a union’s promise.
For example, UAW leadership said they were going on strike to win a 40% pay increase, a four-day work week, and a pension for the Detroit 3. However, they did not deliver on what they promised.
Why can you not count on their promises?
Because the law will not make sure they keep them.
Yet, the company is barred by law from promising things like pay raises, or other benefits to influence an employee’s vote. Here’s what you can expect us to communicate:
- Verifiable facts about unions that can be checked on reliable websites
- Substantiated news reports from responsible outlets
- Information from Federal and state government websites
- Findings and rulings by federal agencies like the NLRB
- Responsible online sources like The Center for Union Facts (CUF)
HMMA will not coerce or threaten Team Members. We will continue to express our opinions and experiences respectfully.
Opinions and experiences can include:
- Discussions about the potential impact of unionization on the company, workforce and overall business environment
- Real-life scenarios, case studies, or personal anecdotes that help Team Members understand the practical implications of unionization
To learn more, talk to your Group Leaders, or browse this website.