Organizing/Market
Development
The Organizing Department of United Association of Plumbers,
Pipefitters Local 192 have made remarkable gains in both market share and
percent organized. By organizing and expanding our union employer base, we can
effectively create a more level playing field for our employers in which to bid
and secure more work and become more prosperous. In that way, labor does its
part to protect capitalism and the free enterprise system in which middle class
America lives and our nation depends.
What Have Unions Done for Us?
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8-hour
day
-
5-day
work week
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Health
Insurance
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Good
pensions
-
Higher
wages
-
Job
security
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Overtime
pay
-
Job
safety
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Family
and medical leave
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Fair
treatment for women, people of all ethnic backgrounds, and those with
disabilities
Union members earn 28% more than nonunion workers. Stronger unions
raise living standards and improve the quality of life for everyone. In the 10
states in which unions are the strongest, there is less poverty, higher
household income, more education spending, and better public policy than in the
10 states where unions are weakest.
Unions Encourage Democracy:
Unions encourage voting and other forms of political participation by members
and other social groups with common interests. Political Scientist Benjamin
Radcliff has estimated that for every 1% decline in union membership
there is a 0.4 % decline in voter participation.