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

Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO):

Federal law allowing the federal government to place in trusteeship organizations which are convicted of being dominated by racketeers or organized crime. The U.S. Department of Justice filed suit against the IBT under the RICO Act, and this lawsuit was settled by the 1989 Consent Decree.

Raiding:

A union's attempt to enroll workers belonging to or represented by another union.

Railway Labor Act of 1926 (RLA):

This law regulates labor relations in the railway and airlines industries, guaranteeing workers in these industries the right to form a union and bargain collectively. The RLA severely controls the timing and right to strike. Also, bargaining units under the RLA are usually nation-wide, making it more difficult for workers to form a union.

Rank and File:

The members of a union.

Ratification:

Formal approval of a newly negotiated agreement by vote of the union members affected.

Recognition:

Employer acceptance of a union as the exclusive bargaining representative for all employees in the bargaining unit.

Recognition Picketing:

Picketing to pressure or coerce an employer to recognize a union as a bargaining agent for the employees. Recognition picketing is subject to certain restrictions under the amendments to the NLRA.

Red Circle:

A method of targeting certain job classifications for special treatment in wage negotiating, with both good and bad results possible.

Reopener Clause:

Clause in a collective bargaining agreement providing for reopening negotiations on wage rates, etc., during the term of the agreement.

Replacement:

Workers hired to replace employees on strike. In the case of economic strikers, the strikers retain their employee status while on strike; however, the company may hire permanent replacements, and may legally refuse to reinstate strikers who have been permanently replaced. In this situation, if there are permanent replacements, economic strikers are generally entitled to reinstatement when the replacements leave. In the case of unfair labor practice strikes, the strikers must be reinstated with few exceptions.

Representation Election:

Election conducted to determine by a majority vote of workers whether they want a union.

RICO Act:

See Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Right-to-Work States:

States which have passed laws prohibiting unions from negotiating union shop clauses in their contracts with employers covered by the NLRA. In 1997 there are 21 "right-to-work" states. Unions often refer to these as "right to work for less" states.

Runaway Shop:

A plant transferred to another location, usually another city, in order to destroy union effectiveness and evade bargaining duties. The best block to a runaway shop is unambiguous contract language which prohibits any move of a plant.