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

Economic Recourse:

A strike, picket, or boycott by a union, or a lockout by an employer.

Economic Strike:

A work stoppage by employees seeking economic benefits such as wages, hours, or other working conditions. This differs from a strike which is called solely to protect unfair labor practices.

EEOC:

See Equal Opportunities Employment Commission.

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA):

This law requires that persons engaged in the administration and management of private pensions act with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence that a prudent person familiar with such matters would use. The law also sets up an insurance program under the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) which guarantees some pension benefits even if a plan becomes bankrupt.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans:

A form of compensation in which employees receive shares of stock in the company for which they work.

Equal Opportunities Employment Commission (EEOC):

Federal Government agency which administers most discrimination lawsuits.

ERISA:

See Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Escalator Clause:

Union contract provision for the raising and lowering of wages according to changes in the cost of living index or a similar standard; most commonly referred to as a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

Escape Clause:

A provision in maintenance of membership union contracts giving union members an "escape period" during which they may resign from union membership. Members who do not exercise this option must remain members for the duration of the contract.

ESOP:

See Employee Stock Ownership Plans.

Excelsior List:

Established in the case of "Excelsior Underwear", the list of names and addresses of employees eligible to vote in a union election. It is normally provided by the employer to the union within ten days after the election date has been set or agreed upon at the NLRB.

Exclusive Bargaining Rights:

The right of a union which has been certified by the NLRB or other government agency to be the only union representing a particular bargaining unit.

Executive Order 10988:

Issued by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, the order recognizes the rights of federal employees to bargain with management.

Exempt Employee:

An employee who is not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for time-and-one-half monetary payments for overtime. Exempt employees are generally paid a salary rather than an hourly rate.

Expedited Arbitration:

An effort to streamline the arbitration hearing by reducing both time and cost. Transcripts and post hearing briefs are usually eliminated. Often the arbitrator issues a decision upon the completion of the hearing or shortly thereafter.