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Answers to Objections to Joining the Union   Qwest Objection: "Why should I join CWA when I'll get exactly the same wages and benefits without joining?" Possible Answers: "Right, you get what the rest of us get. But we could get so much more if we didn't have nonmembers. Aren't you interested in further gains? Well, these can be won only if enough of us want them and are willing to work to get them." "If every worker felt as you do, we would have no union at all to bargain for us or to represent us in grievances. The longer you remain a nonmember, the more difficult it is for the union to improve your wages and working conditions." "As a nonmember you are automatically on the side of management against the union at the bargaining table. You are agreeing with them that the demands made by the union are not proper and that you are not entitled to any improvement in wages or working conditions. I'm sure you want to join with us to help make improvements possible rather than be counted as one who is against better wages and working conditions." "As a nonmember you have no vote and no voice in contract ratification or in election of representatives." Objection: "I can't afford to join. I've got a family to support and my check just isn't big enough." Or, "The dues are too high." Possible Answers: "You say you have a family to support. You owe it to your family, above all, to be a member of a union that ensures job security, wage increases and fringe benefits. Your family benefits directly from all of these." "You can't afford not to belong. It doesn't cost to belong to the union. It pays in the form of job security, better wages and improved benefits." "Compare the cost with your returns on this investment. Your return each year is far greater than the annual dues. And understand, we're just talking about wage increases here. We haven't begun to talk about the advantages of increased job security, seniority and better working conditions. These are all extras that you get in return for your dues investment." "Did you ever stop to think how much less money you'd be making if it were not for the union? I'm sure that neither you nor I could afford to work for what we would make without a union. Objection: "I don't believe in unions." Possible Answers: Point out what unions have done historically. Describe how things were in American workplaces before unions. Workers were fired at the whim of management or arbitrarily at the age of 40. Describe the extremely low wages, long hours, no fringe benefits, no unemployment compensation, no Social Security and no workers' compensation. Stress not only the contract gains but also the efforts of labor to enact better laws and create better communities. Try to find out the specific reason behind this objection, and then try to correct the false impression the employee has. Objection: "I don't need a union; my supervisor is fair. I get along fine with my supervisor. What has the union got for us that we wouldn't have received anyway?" Possible Answers: Point out that personality clashes arise between employees and supervisors. Ask: "What would you do if this should happen to you? What would you be able to do to help yourself if your supervisor presented you with an adverse action?" "This is a good place to work now, but this is no reason why we shouldn't try to make it an even better place to work. Your job will be made more pleasant and secure because of the union representation afforded you on the job. Your supervisor has to treat you fairly since the contract requires that he or she do so. The department is fair because the union is always looking over the department's shoulder. Even so, almost every employee at one time or another has a grievance or complaint. Or what if you get a new supervisor? That's where the union comes in." "You never know when you might need the help of the union. The union will be able to get a clause in the contract that assures employees fair treatment if the need should ever arise. If too many people felt the way you feel, there would be no union and no protection for anyone." "Individuals may not know their rights under the law and under the contract. In today's complex world, organizations of all sorts are necessary to achieve any important objectives. This is the reason for the union. The union has to be able to bargain from strength in order to adequately protect employees from arbitrary treatment, to get better wages, longer vacations, better benefits and so on." Point to the article in the contract which makes CWA the sole bargaining agent. This means that management recognizes that only CWA is able to speak for all of the employees. The employees can't by law bargain directly with the employer. Objection: "I'm only going to be working here a short while (on a temporary or part-time job)." Possible Answers: "Whether you stay here six months or thirty years, you'll get full benefits and full protection while you are employed." Objection: "My spouse would divorce me." Or, "My spouse does not like unions." Possible Answers: Find out why the spouse or parent objects. Offer to sit down and talk things over. Offer to go home that very evening with the nonmember to discuss the matter with the relative. (House calls are very successful.) "Your (husband, wife, father, etc.) lets you work and accepts your contribution to the household. They should let you do your part to make your job more pleasant and better paying. You're the one who is working on the job. You put up with the working conditions. You get the paycheck. You know better than anyone else whether a union is good for you. Let me visit your home and discuss this matter with you and your family this very evening." Objection: "The union doesn't do anything for you." Or, "I don't like the people who are running things in the union." Possible Answers: Insist upon specifics. Check out the problem, obtain the facts, and report back to the nonmember. "You are the union. You can get involved and run for office to help change the things you don't like." Enumerate the contract benefits. Remind the nonmember that these didn't come automatically. Objection: "I can handle my own affairs. I can take care of myself. I'll make my own decisions. I don't intend to stay at this job forever; I'm looking for a promotion." Possible Answers: "This may be true, but the chances are you might need help somewhere along the way. Besides, all your fellow employees aren't as fortunate. They need help. They need your help." "You are working in a large department and necessarily are a cog in a very large machine. Unless you fit into this machine, you are not a desirable employee, so your future depends in large part on your ability to get along with everyone, including your fellow workers." Objection: "My supervisor doesn't believe in unions. I've seen what happens to CWA members." Possible Answers: "It used to be that many supervisors didn't like unions, but most of them have changed their ways." "The law, the contract and public policy guarantee you the right to join and engage in union activity." Objection: "I don't want anything to do with unions. They're all corrupt." Possible Answers: Show the nonmember a copy of CWA's Bylaws and point out how it assures democratic procedures and membership control of the union. Point out that membership in the union gives you a right to choose your own officers and to correct abuses. Objection: "I don't know enough about CWA or the union movement." Possible Answers: "The officers of our unit and I will be glad to sit down with you anytime, any place, to tell you everything you might want to know about CWA and answer any questions you might have. After you've learned some of the history of the union and how it operates, I'm sure you will want to become a member." Objection: "I'm not interested. I just don't want to join." Possible Answers: You can't afford not to be interested in the union. What happens in the union and between the union and management affects you; it affects all employees. Contract negotiations, grievances, etc., concern everyone in one way or another." It might be necessary to go into a general explanation of the reasons people join unions.