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Your
Teamster Contract
Your Rights at Work
A Teamster contract establishes a uniform set of wages,
hours and working conditions. Every so often, as stipulated in
your contract, labor and management negotiate improvements or
changes to this agreement.
Your Teamster contract covers such rights and benefits as:
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Wages and Pay Increases
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Health coverage
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Job security
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Promotions
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Vacations
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Holidays
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Retirement benefits
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Work rules
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Seniority rights
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Leave
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Grievance Procedures
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Hours of Work
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Overtime Pay
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Equipment, Uniforms and Allowances
The contract is the law of the workplace. The rights and
benefits in the contract are guaranteed. Management cannot
legally change them without negotiating with the union.
Unity Wins Benefits
Your employer did not give workers the rights and benefits
in the union contract. They were won over years of tough
negotiations because of membership unity.
You Vote on the Contract
You vote to accept or reject whatever has been negotiated.
The proposed contract does not go into effect until a majority
of the members vote to accept it.
Contracts can cover workers on a national, regional, or local
union level. Experience shows agreements covering a period of
three years best serve the interests of the members. Some
contracts, however, run for longer or shorter terms.
Know Your Contract
Read your contract. Ask your steward to explain parts that
are unclear. If you know your contract, you can take full
advantage of the benefits contained in it. You will also know
when your employer has failed to live up to the terms of the
pact.
You should become familiar with the employer’s work rules and
attendance policy, as well as the union contract. All three will
make you aware of your rights and responsibilities. |
