Organizing Tip of the Week: Know the ABC's of Your CBA
Friday, April 8, 2011(National Federation of Federal Employees)
Though
sometimes overlooked, one of the most valuable
recruiting tools available to you is a copy of
your Collective Bargaining Agreement
(CBA).
Familiarizing yourself with your CBA
will arm you with the necessary knowledge to
become a more effective recruiter.
Your CBA
explains in detail what provisions your Local
has negotiated on behalf of your bargaining
unit members. When a prospective member asks
what the Local has done for them, you can point
to the countless examples contained within your
contract.
Your contract is an invaluable resource
for showing your bargaining unit members
exactly how the union is working in their
interest, and how its efforts directly affect
their daily lives.
For
those employees who are not satisfied with the
language within the contract, you can still
turn their feelings into organizing
potential. Encourage them to get
involved with the union, so they will have
input when the contract is up for renewal.
Knowing
what is contained within your contract, and
making it available to your potential members,
is a very important organizing tool. If you
haven’t yet done so, familiarize yourself with
your CBA today, and make sure that information
is available to your bargaining unit
employees.