What do I do if I have issues at my worksite or questions about my union contract?

First, contact your union steward. If you don’t know your steward or need further assistance, please call SEIU Local 722 at 202-483-6221.

Who is SEIU?

The 1.9 million member Service Employees International Union [SEIU] is the largest and fastest-growing union in North America, and the largest union of health care workers in the country. SEIU Local 722 represents employees at the Washington Hospital Center and Children's National Medical Center. Local 722 members work primarily in health care related jobs. Our mission is to win better wages and benefits, improved working conditions, and respect and dignity for our members.
For more info on "Who is SEIU?" click here...

What is a grievance? What should I do if I think I have a grievance?

A written grievance is a formal complaint by an employee who believes the employer has violated your union contract. Your contract spells out a process for resolving grievances with your employer [the ‘grievance procedure.’] Every contract is different. Read your union contract for more details.

If you think you have a grievance, first ask yourself the following questions:

Is there a real basis for the complaint? Which article of your contract has been violated?

Is it timely? Your union contract specifies deadlines for each step of the grievance procedure. If you’re not sure, talk to your union steward. Don’t miss your filing timelines!

Gather all the information: Who, What, When, Where, and How did the incident occur?

This Grievance Intake Form may be helpful in collecting your notes on the incident. You can use this form to organize your information before you talk to your steward or SEIU organizer.

Next, contact your union steward and discuss your concerns. Keep in mind that there may be other ways to address your issue without filing a grievance. Your union steward can help you with ideas and advice about whether a grievance is the best option in your situation.

If you are a steward, check out Problem Solving 101 and Disputes and Grievances in SEIU's on-line stewards manual before contacting your SEIU organizer.

What exactly is a union? How will I benefit as a union member?

None of us have enough strength by ourselves to have a real voice at work. But if we work together as a group, we have strength. That’s what a union is: an organization of everyone who works for the same employer to:

* Stop our employers from doing things we don’t want them to do. For instance, as a union, we can stop the boss from giving us a hard time, firing us unjustly, working us too hard, etc.;

* Make our employers do things we want them to do: pay us fairly, improve our benefits, provide health care, improve the services we provide to our patients or clients, etc.

We negotiate issues like this into our union contract. A contract is a legally binding agreement that management can’t just change whenever it wants.

Workers form and join unions because when we speak with one unified voice, we are heard. By working together as a group, rather than as isolated individuals, we can address key issues and concerns in our workplaces.

Union members earn more money, have better benefits, are more productive, and have better job security than non-union workers. When there’s a problem on the job, employees and management can work together as equals to solve it.

Why should I become a member?

In most cases, if you have a union contract, everybody who works for your employer has to join your union. But in some cases, you have a choice. Why should you join the union if you get all the benefits of the contract either way?

First, it’s fair. Everyone benefits from what we’ve negotiated. So everyone should pay their fair share of keeping our union strong. Second, if we all stay united, our union will have the strength to negotiate contracts for good wages, affordable health care, and safe working environments. When we’re all members, our union stays strong and we can meet our employer on equal terms. And finally, it gives you a voice. Signing a membership form gives you the right to vote on our contracts, vote for stewards and bargaining team representatives, and vote for union officers. If you are not a member, others will make these decisions for you.

Employees who are not members of our union are still covered by our union contract. They receive the same raises and benefits as the rest of us, and have the right to union representation in case of unfair discipline or grievances.

What is a union contract?

A contract is a legally binding agreement that you and your co-workers negotiate collectively with your employer. Our union contract spells out all agreements between workers and our employer, including [but not limited to]:

• Wages, benefits, and pension

• Holidays/sick leave/vacation/personal time

• Any scheduling and staffing agreements

• A fair system for resolving problems at work

All employees have a voice in deciding our priorities for contract negotiations. We elect a group of co-workers to serve on the bargaining team to represent us, we vote on our contract proposals, and vote to accept or reject the tentative agreement that our bargaining team negotiates. Contract negotiations are open to all employees.

To read your union contract online or download a copy to print, find your worksite page and follow the link to download your union contract.

How much are union dues?

To be effective advocates for ourselves and the issues that matter to working families, it takes resources. Dues are each member's investment to ensure that our organization has the strength and resources to be effective. Dues money covers the expenses it takes to negotiate union contracts, represent members on the job, and help new members organize to improve standards for all workers. SEIU Local 722 members pay dues according to how much they earn.

Who makes decisions in our union?

Our union is a democratic organization. Members elect union leaders, vote on our union contracts, and vote on dues structures and other important decisions. Our union is guided by the priorities that members choose. There are many other ways to have a voice in our union, beyond voting for officers and voting on your contract.

What if I become temporarily unemployed or go on a leave of absence?

Contact the union office immediately. If you are on a leave of absence, your dues can be adjusted.



How does an arbitrator decide?
Seven Tests of Just Cause
Our contracts contain the very important words just cause. The concept behind just cause is very simple: what a reasonable person would think is right (or wrong).

Of course an arbitrator needs more specific guidelines. Hence, the Seven Tests of Just Cause:

Did the company warn the worker in advance of taking action?

Is there a clearly communicated work rule which covers the conduct and which is reasonable and related to the orderly, efficient and safe operation of the employer's business?

Did the employer investigate before taking action?

Was the investigation fair and objective? Does the supervisor serve as prosecutor, judge and witness all rolled into one?

Is there substantial evidence that the worker is guilty?

Has the employer been fair and even-handed in its enforcement of the rule(s) in question? Is there “disparate treatment?”

Was the degree of discipline related to the seriousness of the worker's offense and the worker's prior work record?