John Edwards
I am a third generation IBEW 1245 member. I am a Shop Steward. My father was a Shop Steward. My step-mother was a Business Rep. I’m in my 21st year as a union member. The Union has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. And for as long as I can remember, my grandfather, father, step-mother and their co-workers praised the union and union brotherhood.
I started my time with the Union by signing into the Hiring Hall, and even after growing up in a union family, I found myself surprised time and time again at the benefits of being a union member. The first impact I saw was that Hiring Hall employees were paid an extra $7 per hour to cover medical insurance. I was able to afford quality health insurance for my family, even without permanent employment. This was extremely important, as my wife was still a full-time student and we had a just found out that we had a baby on the way. After two and a half years in the Hall, I was hired full time, and saw these benefits multiply.
Over the years I’ve heard co-workers ask the question, “What has the Union done for me lately?” I’ve always been perplexed when I hear this question, not understanding how anyone can’t see the day-to-day benefits of being a union member. So, here’s what the union “has done for me lately”–
- Every minute that I work over eight hours is paid overtime
- Every minute that I work over 12 hours is paid double-time
- Every minute that I work when called out from home is paid double-time
- Overtime for travel in if I come in early
- Overtime for travel in and out if I work on my day off
- Meal compensation while working overtime
- An eight-hour rest period after working eight hours of overtime, or compensation if I do not get eight hours’ rest
- Paid sick days
- Paid holidays
- Paid vacation that increases with seniority
- Consistent yearly wage increases
- A contract that covers everything from vacation hours and sick leave to overtime and job bidding
- Business Representatives and Shop Stewards who make sure that the company adheres to the contract
- Negotiations to secure the best possible medical and retirement benefits
- Ad Hoc committees who negotiate for specific work groups
The list goes on and on, yet it seems that many of our Union brothers and sisters have come to take Union membership for granted. If you have doubts about what the Union is doing for you, take a look at what your employer offers at the beginning of negotiations. Look at employment in a comparable position with a non-union company. Most of us couldn’t imagine working under the conditions at non-union companies.
Now when I hear the question, “What has the Union done for me lately?” My response is “ You are the Union. How involved are you in the future state of your working conditions?”
I advise all Union members to get involved. Go to unit meetings. Talk to your Shop Stewards and Business Reps on how to get involved. Don’t wait for the Union to do something for you… understand that the Union is doing something for you every day.
The question should not be what the Union has done for you lately, but what have you done for your Union?
–John Edwards, IBEW 1245 Shop Steward