TNBC Chicago Chapter

✊ ORGANIZING THURSDAY

Lesson: What Is an At-Will Employee?

Have you ever heard someone say,

“You’re an at-will employee.”

What does that mean?

An at-will employee is someone who can generally leave their job at any time, and an employer can generally end the employment relationship at any time, for almost any lawful reason, or for no stated reason at all. However, employers cannot legally fire someone for an illegal reason, such as discrimination or retaliation prohibited by law.

How Does a Union Change That?

When workers are covered by a union contract, the employer’s ability to discipline or terminate employees is often limited by the contract.

Many union contracts include a Just Cause provision, which means the employer must have a fair and legitimate reason before disciplining or terminating an employee.

A union contract may also provide:

✅ A grievance procedure

✅ The right to challenge discipline

✅ Representation during disciplinary meetings (Weingarten Rights, where applicable)

✅ Arbitration before a neutral third party if a grievance cannot be resolved

Why Is This Important?

Without a union contract, many employees are employed at will.

With a union contract, many employees gain contractual protections that require the employer to follow agreed-upon procedures and standards before discipline or termination.

Today’s Lesson

A union contract doesn’t mean an employee can never be disciplined or fired.

It means the employer must follow the contract and, where applicable, demonstrate just cause before taking disciplinary action.

💬 Question of the Day

Before today’s lesson, had you ever heard the term “at-will employment”? Do you think employees should have contractual protections like “just cause”?

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The Educated Teamster
TNBC University – Education of Members
Educate • Empower • Organize • Lead.

📘 KNOW YOUR UNION MONDAY

Lesson: What Is Seniority?

One of the most important protections in many union contracts is seniority.

Seniority is the length of time an employee has worked under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. It is often used to ensure fairness and consistency in the workplace.

Depending on your contract, seniority may affect:

✅ Vacation selection

✅ Shift preferences

✅ Overtime opportunities

✅ Job bidding and promotions

✅ Layoffs and recalls

✅ Transfers

Every union contract is different, so it’s important to read your agreement to understand how seniority works in your workplace.

Why Is Seniority Important?

Seniority helps create a fair and transparent system by using objective standards instead of favoritism or personal preferences.

It rewards employees for their years of service and helps ensure workplace decisions are made consistently and according to the contract.

Today’s Lesson

Knowing how seniority works can help you better understand your rights and the opportunities available to you under your union contract.

Remember:

“Knowledge of your contract is one of the strongest tools you have as a union member.”

💬 Question of the Day:

Does your workplace use seniority for vacation, overtime, promotions, or layoffs? How has seniority affected your career?

The Educated Teamster
Educate • Empower • Organize • Lead.

✊ ORGANIZING THURSDAY

Lesson: Why Do Workers Organize?

One of the most common questions people ask is, “Why do workers organize?”

The answer is simple:

Workers organize because they want a voice in their workplace.

When employees come together, they have the power to negotiate for better wages, benefits, safer working conditions, fair treatment, and job security.

Workers organize because they want:

✅ Fair wages

✅ Affordable health insurance

✅ Retirement security

✅ Safe working conditions

✅ Respect on the job

✅ Protection from unfair treatment

✅ A voice in workplace decisions

Organizing isn’t about creating conflict—it’s about creating a partnership where employees have a seat at the table through collective bargaining.

Remember, a union is not a third party. The union is the workers standing together to improve their workplace.

Today’s Lesson

Every right in a union contract started because workers stood together and decided they deserved better.

Remember:

“When workers stand together, their voices become stronger than any one person standing alone.”

💬 Question of the Day:

If you could improve one thing about your workplace, what would it be, and why do you think workers are stronger when they work together?

The Educated Teamster
Educate • Empower • Organize • Lead.