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

Illegal Strike:

A strike that is called in violation of the law, such as a strike that ignores "cooling off" restrictions, or a strike that disregards a "no strike" agreement signed by the Union or imposed by a court of law.

Impartial Umpire:

Term often applied to a permanent arbitrator, named for the life of an union contract, and usually selected by mutual agreement. The term indicates his function of presiding over the union contract to enforce observance of it by both parties.

Impasse:

In general usage, a term referring to a situation where two parties cannot h agree on a solution to a dispute. In legal usage, if impasse is reached, the employer is legally permitted to unilaterally impose its latest offer.

Independent Review Board (IRB):

The three-person board established as part of the 1989 consent decree signed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the US Department of Justice as a settlement of the U.S. Government's RICO lawsuit. The IRB has the power to investigate and penalize officers it considers to be corrupt. The IRB has the power to investigate and penalize Teamster officials it considers to be corrupt.

Industrial Union:

A union whose membership includes all workers in a particular industry, regardless of the particular skills the worker exercises.

Informational Picketing:

Picketing done with the express intent not to cause a work stoppage, but to publicize either the existence of a labor dispute or information concerning the dispute. Picketing done with the express intent not to cause a work stoppage but to publicize either the existence of a labor dispute or information concerning the dispute.

Injunction:

A court order which either imposes restraints upon action, or directs that a specific action be taken and which is, in either case, backed by the courts power to hold disobedient parties in contempt.

Inside Strategy:

The use of mass grievances, working to rule, rolling sick-outs, informational picketing, and other forms of resistance designed to pressure an employer to meet the union's demands without the union resorting to a strike.

Interest Arbitration:

Used no police.

Intermittent Leave:

Leave taken in separate periods of time due to a single illness or injury. This is permitted under the FMLA.

Intervenor:

A union which wants to be on the ballot when another union has already petitioned for an election.

IRB:

See Independent Review Board.