Union Terminology

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Canvass:

A method of talking individually to every member of a bargaining unit to either convey information, gather information on a survey, or plan for united action.

Canvass Coordinator:

A term sometimes used for the person at the "top" of a member-to-member action network. Other terms include "network coordinator" or "campaign coordinator". This person is responsible for establishing the one-on-one network and for planning and scheduling activities of the network.

Captive Audience Meeting:

A union term for meetings of workers called by management and held on company time and property. Usually the purpose of these meetings is to try to persuade workers to vote against union representation.

Card Check:

Procedure whereby signed authorization cards are checked against a list of employees in a prospective bargaining unit to determine if the union has majority status. The employer may recognize the union on the basis of this card check without the necessity of a formal election. Often conducted by an outside party, e.g., respected member of the community.

Cease and Desist Order:

An order to stop an action, to not repeat the action, and to take action to undo the wrong. A cease and desist order issued by the NLRB is a final order in an unfair labor practice case. It requires the guilty party to stop any conduct found to be in violation of the law and to take positive action to remedy the situation.

Certification:

Official designation by a labor board of a labor organization entitled to bargain an exclusive representative of employees in a certain unit.

Certification Bar:

The NLRB and many public sector agencies will prohibit another election in a bargaining unit for one year after a union has been certified following an election.

Certified Union:

A union designated by federal or state labor relations boards as the exclusive bargaining agent of a group of workers.

Change of Operations:

A change of terminal cities, breaking points, routes, or equipment which affects Teamster trucking industry employment opportunities. The union's permission, through the grievance procedure, is often required for such changes.

Charge:

Written statement of alleged unfair practices. Filing a charge with the NLRB State Labor Board is the first step in an unfair labor practice proceeding.

Charging Party:

The party filing a grievance or an unfair labor practice charge.

Check-Off:

A contract clause authorizing the company to deduct union dues from paychecks of those members who so authorize deductions. The company then transfers the money to the union.

Closed Shop:

An agreement between an employer and a union that, as a condition of employment, all employees must belong to the union before being hired. The employer agrees to retain only those employees who belong to a union. The closed shop was declared illegal by the Taft-Hartley Act.

Collective Bargaining:

A process which workers, through their bargaining committee, deal as a group to determine wages, hours and other conditions of employment. Normally, the result of collective bargaining is a written contract which covers all workers in the bargaining unit.

Common Law:

The law of a country or state based on custom, usage, and/or the decisions and opinions of a court.