Frequetly Asked Questions
Who can join Local 73?
Local 73 primarily represents traditional public employees, but also represents people who work at quasi-public and non-profit entities that receive government funding. We welcome any employee who is interested in organizing to call us at 312-787-5868. If we are not the right Union for your type of profession or employer, than we will point you towards other Unions that will be a better fit.
The Process
How Do You Join A Union?
In Illinois, we have a law that allows “card check” for public employees. What this means is that you simply need a majority (50% +1) of employees to sign authorization cards in order to form a Union, and there is no election necessary. For Illinois public employees, signing a card is your “YES” vote for the union.
What Happens After We Reach a Majority on Cards?
We will file them with the appropriate Labor Board. Certification, assuming no intervention from the employer, takes approximately 30-45 days. After you are certified, bargaining will begin.
What if I’m not an Illinois public employee?
Public employers in other states and private-sector employers anywhere are not subject to the card check law and will likely require an election after cards are filed.
The Big Questions
What About Strikes?
Strikes are a powerful tool, but one of very last resort. There are many other alternatives that you can use to settle a contract prior to going on strike, such as securing community support and bringing a message to the media. Going on strike is up to the employees who would be out on strike – an overwhelming majority of you and your co-workers must vote to have one in order for a strike to be called. Union staff CAN NOT and WILL NEVER just come in one day and tell you that you’re on strike tomorrow.
How Much Are Dues?
The important thing to remember about dues is that no one pays anything until after they vote to adopt a contract and see the raises that are negotiated. Would you vote “yes” on a contract that took more money out of your pocket than it put in? Dues are 1.5%, with a minimum $20 per month. There are no initiation fees to form the union.
Will we lose control of our workplace to a 3rd party union?
No. SEIU Local 73 is a democratic, member-run union. All members have a vote in our Union and are able to set the Union’s priorities. In terms of contract negotiations, you and your co-workers will elect your own representative bargaining committee and negotiate directly with your administration (with the support and advice of Local 73 staff). And, you and your co-workers who are covered by the contract are the only ones who will get to vote on final approval of that contract after your bargaining team and your administration come to a tentative agreement.
Can I Be Fired or Harassed For Joining the Union?
It is illegal for any employer to retaliate in any way against an employee for organizing a Union - it is considered a form of discrimination. If you feel that your employer is breaking the law and discriminating against you or your co-workers, please call us immediately and we will take action to correct the situation, up to and including filing formal charges against your employer.
More on SEIU
What is SEIU?
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is the largest Union in the United States. SEIU has grown rapidly due to its aggressive organizing of the unorganized. Nationally, we represent more than 1.8 million workers.
What is Local 73?
Local 73 is the SEIU Local for public, quasi-public, and non-profit employees in Illinois and northwest Indiana, and already represents over 26,000 employees. We have more than 180 different contracts, covering municipal employees, firefighters, school support staff, public service professionals, and employees of Cook County, the Chicago Park District, the Illinois Toll Highway Authority (the Tollway), the Illinois Secretary of State, the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Chicago, and the City Colleges of Chicago, among others.