You are joining one of the largest and most progressive unions in Western Massachusetts. UAW Local 2322 is an amalgamated union currently representing twenty-seven workplaces in the fields of higher education, early childhood development, health & human services, and beyond.
Being in a union means that you have the support of a large membership of over 4,300 workers, servicing representatives and elected officials that are there to advocate with you should you have any work-related issues. If a supervisor wants to discipline you, you do not have to face that alone. Within this pamphlet is information on your legal Weingarten rights. Please be sure to also read your contract, as there is much information pertaining to your working conditions, wages, benefits, and more. Your contract is a powerful legal document which allows you to have a voice at your job.
As a UAW Local 2322 member you are part of a community of workers that is constantly growing each day. Be sure to check our website, www.uaw2322.org often to find out about information and events happening in and around our community.
I want to welcome you to our union and remind you that there are various ways to become involved. You can attend workplace union meetings, run for a leadership role on the Executive Board or Joint Council, become a steward at your work site, join a standing committee, and so on!
UAW Local 2322 is a democratically run organization in which members have the highest authority. YOU are the union. Remember – united we bargain, divided we beg!
In solidarity,
Anais Surkin, UAW 2322 President, and all the staff at UAW 2322
Your dues at work
Your union dues are the wisest investment you can make. Only through representation by a strong and democratic union and collective action can better working conditions, higher pay, and dignity on the job be achieved. That’s the dividend you invest in the UAW each month.
Locals on the front line
Every day your local union stands on the front lines fighting for your rights at your workplace. The most important day-to-day work of the UAW takes place at the local union. That includes handling grievances, solving health and safety problems, bargaining local contracts, grassroots political action and more.
Like any democratic organization, your local union can be only as effective as you make it, through participation in your local union’s elections, membership meetings, standing committees, and other activities.
There are so many ways to participate, from organizing a charity event to playing on the softball team. You can take a class on union history, or help plan the annual picnic.
As a UAW member, you have the right to run for elected leadership positions in your local union, elect your union leaders, and vote on local union actions, on contracts and – if necessary – on strike actions.
The UAW Constitution guarantees you and every UAW member the right to participate fully in running your union. It’s up to you to exercise your rights.
Martin Luther King and UAW President, Walter Reuther, the day MLK
gave his I Have a Dream Speech in Washington D.C. in 1963.
Why join a union?
To learn more visit: http://uaw.org/organize
How Do I SIGN UP?
- Get & sign a membership application form:
- from your steward
- from your Union Rep
- online at https://uaw2322.org/membership/
- Sign both sections before returning the card to the Local office.
Your rights
Weingarten rights
One of your rights as a unionized employee is representation. If you are ever asked to meet with a supervisor, and you have a reasonable belief that what you say at this meeting could lead to discipline, a change in your working conditions, or any other adverse consequence, you have the right to request union representation. If this situation ever arises, simply read the following to your supervisor(s):
“If this discussion could in any way lead to any form of discipline or to any change in my working conditions, I respectfully request that my union representative or officer be present to assist me at this meeting. Without representation present, I choose not to answer questions or participate in this discussion.”
Additionally, stop and think before you say “I quit” or sign anything. It’s always best to consult with your steward or Service Rep before you take an action you can’t undo.
DO YOU NEED HELP?
You can get help from your Union Representative, Union Leadership, or Union Stewards. To find out who to contact, check your shop page on the UAW 2322 “shops” drop down list. Choose your employer from the list under each state.
Lost your union contract? You can find that here too.
ACCOMPLISHMENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Goddard College – 50% tuition reduction for half time salaried faculty and family members, increased dental contribution from 50 to 65%, plus 6% increase in pay.
- Graduate Employees – A dollar-an-hour pay increase per year plus 2.5% a year for the lowest-paid graduate workers, as well as 2.5% per year across-the-board increase, and up to 15% in pay increases for CPE instructors, An increase in the amount of paid parental leave from 60 hours a year to 100 hours, plus the extension of the 100 hours of paid leave to members with a wide range of family and medical related time off needs (FMLA), Massive increase to the university’s contribution to the childcare reimbursement fund, Payouts for unused vacation, Process to include “non-working” fellows in the union, Increased anti-harassment and anti-discrimination protections, particularly for international students, All-gender bathroom access for all graduate workers.
- Residential Assistants – will gain nearly 20% in wage increases over the 3 years of their contract.
- ServiceNet Counselors – yearly raises, 90% paid single health insurance, increased sick days, bereavement leave and carry-over days.
- Nonotuck –annual wage increases, one new holiday, better snow day rules, a $500 health insurance bonus.
- To find out specific gains at your place of employment, talk to your Union Representative.
Let your voice be heard!
There are many ways to participate in your union:
- Support union rallies
- Go to union meetings
- Join the Executive Board
- Become a shop Steward
- Join your bargaining team
- Give us feed back
- Join Joint Council
- Write articles and/or testimonials for our website
- Stay informed by keeping in touch with your union stewards and representatives.
More than autoworkers we are; Counselors, College Faculty, Outreach Workers, Paraprofessionals, Visitation Specialists, Hotline/Crisis Workers, Teacher & Aides, Support Staff, Maintenance Staff, Housing Specialists, Advocates, Case Managers, Research Assistants, Housekeepers, Kitchen staff, Resident Assistants, Childcare Workers, Security Guards, Quality Control, Finance Employees, Shipping/receiving, Food Service Workers, Nurse & Health Specialists, Group Leaders/Coordinators, Office Workers, Inspectors, Technicians, Appraisers, Clinicians, Drivers, and so much more.