THE UNION DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR

POWER IN NUMBERS

There are 16 million union members across the country, and over 200,000 working families in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

We are workers in hospitals and nursing homes, auto assembly plants and on construction sites, trains, buses and airplanes. They are security guards, engineers, office workers, musicians, electricians, postal workers, janitors and more.

There is a union for every type of career. There are unions for NFL players, lobstermen and sitcom actors, and many other professions. No matter what profession you are in, you deserve to make ends meet, have a good life and plan for the future.

I’M READY

WANT TO BECOME A UNION MEMBER?

Step One: Know Your Rights

Federal and state laws guarantee the right to form unions!  Eligible employees* have the right to express their views on unions, to talk with their co-workers about their interest in forming a union, to wear union buttons, to attend union meetings and in many other ways to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and freedom of association. For more information, click here.

Despite these laws, many employers strongly resist their employees’ efforts to gain a voice at work through unionization.  So, before you start talking union where you work, get in touch with a union that will help you organize.

* Supervisors and a few other kinds of employees customarily are excluded from coverage.  For more information, see specific laws covering your position or contact a union organizer as described below.

Step Two: Find Out Which Union is Right for You

To form a union on the job, you need the backup and hands-on assistance from the union you are seeking to join. If you don’t already know which union is best suited to help you, if you don’t already know which union is best suited to help you, call the Labor Council at 619-228-8101, we can help you select a union.

Step Three: Talk to a Union Organizer

Union organizers assist employees in forming unions on the job to give them the same opportunity for dignity and respect, good wages and decent working conditions that union members already have. To connect with a union organizer, call the Labor Council at 619-228-8101.

WORKER WIN:

San Diego Hotel Workers Beat Marriott

In October 2018, More than 160 San Diego Hotel Workers took on Marriott - the largest and most powerful hotel company in the world. Marriott workers were often paid so little they had to work two or three jobs to survive. When Marriott refused to pay them a fair wage - they went on strike.

Hotel housekeepers, banquet servers, and room attendants sacrificed their paychecks and to force the hotel giant to provide fair wages, stable healthcare costs and a secure retirement.

7,700 of their fellow UNITE-HERE Marriott hotel workers across the nation joined them - saying “One Job Should Be Enough”.

The Labor Council was there every step of the way - bringing firefighters, teachers, construction workers, janitors and domestic workers to walk with them side by side. The Labor Council used its power to rally elected officials and community leaders to stand up and fight back.

After 35 days - workers brought a $36 billion corporation to its knees.

UNITE-HERE hotel workers won:

• 40% increase in wages

• First time pension

• No increases in health insurance premiums over four years

• Workplace protections against overwork, sexual harassment and understaffing

As all the hotels compete for workers, they will be forced to pay higher wages at both union and non-union hotels. In their fight for a fair contract, UNITE-HERE workers raised wages and working standards not just for themselves but for all workers.

When We fight, We Win!

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