A union is a group of employees who come together to gain a legally protected say in the terms of their employment. Union members are able to negotiate their wages, benefits, and working conditions with their employer. When employees come together, they are the union.

Insurance professionals are employees who have the same problems as other workers. Over six million professionals across the United States have joined together with their colleagues to gain a written contract that guarantees input in the decisions that affect them at work. Like nurses, engineers, and other professionals, insurance employees need good working conditions to do their jobs well. In non-union workplaces, most decisions concerning wages, benefits, and working conditions rest solely with management. This structure can create conflict and hardship when professionals do not have the compensation, respect, and resources they need to do their jobs well. To address this, insurance professionals across the country have joined together in union to gain a voice in decisions in their workplaces.

Collective bargaining is the formal process union members and their employers use to negotiate the terms and conditions of work—including wages, benefits, and working conditions. Similar to the contracts CEOs have that guarantee their pay, benefits, and other conditions of employment, the terms agreed upon during collective bargaining are solidified in a contract called a collective bargaining agreement. Collective bargaining agreements are commonly referred to as union contracts.

Dues pay for bargaining, contract enforcement, education, legal services, and other things that allow your union to function and be effective. The benefits of a union contract should far exceed the cost of dues. No dues will be paid until after you vote to approve your first collective bargaining agreement.

Contact us to learn more about how you can take the first steps in forming a union.