When a union bargains successfully with an employer in that industry, what are the steps? What do they do to make it happen?
It is difficult for unions when negotiating with employers as many people have misconceptions about their goals and methods. Some people may think all unions want from their negotiations is higher wages and benefits without considering other considerations. In this article, we will explore how and why unions bargain successfully with employers by looking at four major issues: health care coverage, pensions, wages, and hours of work.
Health Care Coverage:
The Affordable Care Act is also known as Obamacare. It was signed into law in 2010 and has expanded health care coverage to more than 20 million people who were previously uninsured. The ACA sets up a marketplace for individuals to purchase their own insurance, provides free or low-cost access to preventive services, limits out of pocket costs on essential private insurance coverage such as maternity and newborn care; requires all new plans to provide the ten essential benefits package without any additional premium cost, prevents insurers from discriminating against those with pre-existing conditions when selling insurance policies (by eliminating exclusions), allows children under 26 years old being covered by their parent’s plan if they are not offered employer-sponsored healthcare–and other regulations that protect consumers.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has provided many people with access to healthcare without the fear of being denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions, such as pregnancy or diabetes at birth–as well as other benefits that are not typically given under a typical employer-based plan including free or low-cost preventive services like mammograms for women when they turn 40 years old; annual physicals; wellness visits (like an exercise routine tailored just for you); counseling on healthy eating habits; screening tests for colon cancer and breast cancer—and much more! These things can be so expensive if paid out of pocket but now these same types of screenings are covered by insurance plans in most circumstances. ‘Healthy Kids Program’ is another benefit that is guaranteed to every union member and their dependents.
According to the UAW, the “Healthy Kids Program” is a preventive health care program for children of General Motors workers which includes immunizations, physical exams (once per year), hearing tests (every three years), and vision screens.
The ‘Healthy Kids Program also provides developmental screening services when necessary which can be very beneficial in determining whether your child may have an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays/disabilities-or if there are any signs of mental illness that need intervention early on. You might even qualify for prescription drug coverage under certain circumstances with this plan! And one more benefit: Wage increases cannot legally go below what has been agreed to in the contract.”
When a union bargains successfully with employers, in that industry, information related to it.
This blog post discusses the benefits of being part of a union and how they negotiate more favorable terms in their contract with an employer when negotiating for workers than one might find if not part of a union. The article details some examples where this has happened such as General Motors providing preventive health care programs for children of its employees which includes immunizations, physical exams (once per year), hearing tests (every three years), and vision screens. It also provides developmental screening services when necessary which can be very beneficial in determining whether your child may have autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays/disabilities-or if there are any signs of mental illness that need to be addressed.
A union’s bargaining power is not just about membership numbers.
Unions negotiate with employers when there are crises, like plant closures or the threat of bankruptcy. This ensures that they have a seat at the table when company decisions affect them and their jobs.
When unions bargain successfully for benefits in these situations, it provides stability to members and promotes job security as well as ensuring fair wages and competitive benefits packages.
As an example: In 1981, after General Motors (GM) announced plans to close eleven plants in North America – potentially eliminating over 28,000 jobs – UAW president Douglas Fraser told GM chairman Roger Smith he would oppose any restructuring plan unless it addressed “the social problems which we all know will arise from this.”
The company and the UAW agreed to establish a Community Action Program which provided retraining, job placement services, subsidized day care for children of laid-off workers, transitional unemployment insurance benefits, early retirement options, and more.
This led to settlements with two other major automakers over similar threats of closure.”
