---

                         Frequently Asked Questions................

Finally a Forum to answer YOUR most commonly asked questions, and fill you in on what the MC Staff Union is and does FOR YOU…. 


Q: HOW do I join the Union?
A: Excellent first question, and its very simple. Either download the form from the JOIN button, print, fill out, sign and send in Interoffice Mail to MSCU President Liz Brandenburg, OR--Contact your Shop Steward and they will quickly pay you a visit to talk and answer questions and provide you with information. They will also provide you with an application form which will take about 5 minutes to complete or may be completed at your convenience and returned later.. Once you complete the forms you can return them to your Shop Steward who puts them in for processing, but the moment you sign your form you are considered a dues paying member in good standing! A few weeks later you will recieve your official membership card in the mail.


Q: Why Should I Join the Union?
A: Another Good Question! Well you wouldn’t buy insurance after your home burns down, so why wait until you have a problem to join the Union! That’s how most people feel—if they do not have a problem now, why bother. But suddenly when there is a problem, the Union is who they turn to for help first. Until you are a paying member—certain arbitration steps cannot be filed completely with full merit, and because TIME is critical when you may have a problem, any delay could ruin your chances for fair resolve based on Contract and Policy rules. So Join NOW! Why should you join the Union—why SHOULDN’T you Join the Union?


Q What does the Union DO for me?
A: You may not be aware of this, but the Union works hard FOR you behind the scenes in many areas you are not aware of, to ensure you have a safe and healthy and constructive work environment and are treated fairly. All the Union asks in return that you join us and sign a card and pay the dues to support our efforts. Joining the Union is participating in, and supporting, the RIGHTS you expect the workplace for equal pay and treatment for your hard work. For example: The Merit and COLA salary increases you receive yearly are negotiated by the Union with Management—the more votes and voice we have, the more we are possibly able to negotiate for. Leave, EAP funds and other benefits are also negotiated as well, including certain conditions for Shift Pay, Overtime and Compensations. But there are still many things that Management does NOT ALLOW us to negotiate with them for (most are topics, conditions and allowances that other unions get to negotiate for—we should be allowed that too but they will not permit certain things to be added to YOUR contract!). With more members, and a bigger VOICE, we can in time add those items to the contract for negotiation, resulting in more benefits and support for our members! Being an active dues-paying member is having a VOICE in your employment terms and conditions.


Q: I understand I am still represented even if I do not join the Union. Is this true?
A: Yes. By law, all Bargaining Unit employees are covered under the Union Contract terms and conditions whether they pay union dues or not; Non-paying members can get representation and advice as easily as any paying member. However, on escalated matters of Arbitration or Formal Grievance proceedings--for the Union to represent you and use outside legal or AFSCME services which cost money that our member dues pay for, then you must be a joined member who has signed a card and pays dues. The actual paying card-carrying Members get to VOTE on union issues, get to hold office in the union, serve on committee’s and may even attend conventions and have additional input on what they feel are important issues that the Union should address with Management. Active members get an active voice. Get Active!!


Q:  But I still do not understand why I should pay if I get the basic benefits of being a Bargaining Unit member?
A: If you would rather get the benefits free, without offering support in return to the Union volunteers who work hard on your behalf, then that is your decision and we do not hold it against anyone for such. But soon our MC Staff Union will become what is called a “Modified Agency Shop”. In Union terms, this is a good thing because it adds strength and solidarity to issues that the Union may come up against. It gives us a stronger voice and will finally allow certain issues to be brought forth. But when we become a Modified Agency Shop, then ALL employee’s covered under the Bargaining unit will then be required to pay dues to the union whether they are card carrying members or not. So while you may enjoy the free ride of the benefits that the Union works hard to help provide you with, the free ride will be over soon. The Union needs and wants Active members to vote and bring issues so that everyone can have a fair and equal workplace. Active members can join Union Committee’s, bring issues to order, help fix problems, fight against tyranny and injustice and fly…well…not fly.. But you can VOTE and hold offices, and as an active card carrying due-paying member, if you see a problem, you then could have the strong voice and backing of others in the Union to effect CHANGE and bring an issue to light for resolution.


Q: I think if I join I will want to participate in the Union--how can I?
A: Well the first best way is to come to our regular monthly meetings during lunch hours. We post annual calendars of meetings on this Website and we meet on various campuses once a month.  You can meet the officers and stewards representing you, hear or present any problems and there is free discussion on committee’s and needs for help in the Union with many aspects from Newsletter to website to promotions of new memberships and many other activities. Just stop by and say Hello. Even if you are not yet a signed up member of the Union and are considering joining, you are welcome to come check us out and have your questions answered directly. Alternately, you are welcome to contact a Shop Steward or Union Executive Board member and ask for more information. We are glad to answer questions and meet with you individually if you prefer. 


Q: Are you Union Board Members PAID extra for this service work out of our dues? Is that why you want us to join and pay??
A:  Nope…we are not paid, not a cent. That’s correct—read it again—we are NOT PAID at all for this. Every officer in the Union, from your Local Union President to the Shop Stewards are all VOLUNTEERS and do this on our own. Why? Because we believe and feel most strongly that EVERYONE who works hard deserves to be treated equally and fairly and paid for their work, and not be abused or taken advantage of. Most people do not believe that Management may be unfair to them--until they are, and suddenly their eyes are open and they become GLAD to have a Union behind them. We want to make sure everyone is treated fairly and has a voice. Having a strong Union, and a good Contract in place, puts added assurances and guarantees in place that cannot be stripped from an employee or their work environment if Management should decide they need to change policy in mid-stream or curtail some of the common allowed practices for any reason. Many of us have seen some of the problems firsthand that Management can do. Many who have it good would probably not believe that their management would do unfair things, but it can and does happen. Whether it is by mistake or deliberately, you should know that unfair treatment can happen to anyone, and come from anyone (especially from a supervisor trying to cover their mistakes!). The Union is there for YOU when it happens, and if justified we will fight for you.  


Q: So then where do my paid dues go if you are all Volunteers??
A: The Union uses the monies paid to fund business operations and activities the Union does for its members; for attending Local or International conferences & training; or for providing food, prizes or for organizing meetings & general union business. The spending is generally voted upon by Executive Board and regular union members in Monthly Open Session Meetings. The Union also collects donated Leave every year that is put into a Union Leave Bank for use by executive board members for Union business, training or emergencies/arbitrations. All other monies not used are banked and saved by the Union for use at later times as needed. If the Union must go to court on behalf of a grievance, monies banked from dues will help pay for that as well. In addition, a percentage of your dues paid to your Local also go to the main chapter of AFSCME Council 67 in which our Local falls under their jurisdiction. Addditionally a portion goes to support the International Union of AFSCME. Use of Union Monies and Leave can only be authorized by a full Executive Board vote and a Vote by the Membership. YOU get a vote on how your money gets used by the Union.

Q: I see AFSCME supports various candidates and political agendas that I do not agree with. Are my Dues going to support politics and agendas I do not agree with?
A: No. Your dues support YOUR union. While it is true that AFSCME does support various political and lobby events, the MEMBERSHIP DUES paid by members do NOT go to that exclusive Political support unless you CHOOSE for it to. AFSCME has set up a P.E.O.P.L.E fund which takes separate support funding for political purposes. This is VOLUNTARY and if you choose you can be provided a card for that support funding. If AFSCME does not support your political interests, rest assured that your monies paid for membership dues go primarily to YOUR Union first, and in part to AFSCME local council & International council--but that money is also NOT directed to the lobbying or Political actions of AFSCME.  Membership Dues are used for Daily Union Business & Operations, Arbitrations and Training. The separate P.E.O.P.L.E. funding goes to lobby support & political activities.  So if you disagree with AFSCME's larger choices of lobbying support, understand that your dues supports your Union, and not larger political agendas.


Q:  How much are my union dues?
A: It breaks down to about $1.05 or so per day in a 30 day period, to be an active member of the Union. Dues are automatically deducted every pay period. All you do is fill out the authorization form and sign the card provided to you by your shop steward, and return that card to your shop steward for processing. Check your Union Contract or with your shop steward for exact costs to date.  


Q: Do I get anything extra for being in the Union?
A: You get extra sense of security in your job, and a voice & vote in all issues the Union takes on. You take an active role in your employment conditions thru your votes, and by joining and increasing the membership you help send a message to management that you care about your job and work place, and want to ensure that everyone employed has the fair and equal working conditions that you enjoy.


Q: Well all this sounds good so far, but Management and my supervisor are very NICE and good to me and I have never had a problem here at my job. They are my friends. Isn’t joining the Union saying I do not trust them or is like rocking the boat?
A: No, it isn’t saying that at all. It is, instead, saying that you want the working environment that you have and enjoy to continue and not change or be disrupted. Ask yourself this question: “Would your nice friend sacrifice their job to protect you in a crisis, or would they sacrifice you to protect their job?”. Tough question that never works out like it does on TV.  While Unions cannot guarantee individual operations in each work area, globally they can fairly act if any sudden changes in Management or in its Policies, or if problems arise in a work area or with an employee, so that Union Members are not hurt by those changes if it violates the contract or policies. It’s GREAT that you have not had any problems, and in a lot of respects you have the Union to thank for a lot of that operation, because we work with your managers and supervisors to ensure a good work place for everyone. But if your supervisor should change or leave, or your position or duties get changed without your input—the Union can then step in and make sure that Management is not exceeding its Rights to Manage its operations and violating your working environment or Job Description. If you have a situation in your workplace that is in violation of the Law, or the Union contract, then the Union can step in and ensure it gets taken care of, or guide you in how to properly proceed. If you should have accusations or abuses happen to you from Management or other co-workers that may threaten your job, your performance or your benefits, the Union is there to help you if we can. But we do not monitor your work area, if there is a problem then it is up to YOU to bring it to our attention for help. Being a member of a Union means not being ALONE or powerless at your workplace. It means you are giving yourself extra options and avenues to use at your benefit.


Q: I am a new-hire and Management appears good, but I’m afraid if I join or complain about a problem they will treat me differently or things will get bad....
A: You are protected under Federal & State Laws from any discrimination or action towards you from joining or not joining a Union, and those Labor Officials take a discrimination instance very seriously and harshly against any manager or business who does so or permits such union busting. You should know that Management cannot discriminate against you in any way whatsoever for your affiliation with, or participation in, the Union or for your filing a complaint against them thru the Union. There is no reason they should discriminate against you, and if they do—you have the Union to help guide you and clear things up on your behalf. If a manager has directly told you the "right thing to do" would be to not join the Union--that is potentially ILLEGAL and unethical, and we need to hear about it. Being a member of a labor union and the right & freedom to do so if you choose is guarenteed and protected by law, and there can be no discrimination whatsoever. Its is the same if you are a Democrat or a Republican, or a member of a political party--it is your business and right and freedom that should not play a part in your job.    


Q: If I have a problem at work with my supervisor, or something happened I am unsure about its fairness or legality, what do I do?
A: Well most problems at work are simple to fix and stem from miscommunications and misunderstandings. But time is usually critical when a problem arises—for certain offenses of serious nature you have a time frame in which to call for Union assistance and file a grievance. If you have a problem and you do not know if the Union can help or if it’s a real problem that should be remedied, you are free to email or call your local Shop Steward to discuss your problem. They will take the time to hear you and listen and investigate your claim, and they will tell you directly if you have a Union or Grievance issue or not. If you do have a grievance issue, they will try to resolve it informally, and if they cannot then they will help you bring it to the Union for official action and resolve.


Q: What kind of Union is the MC Staff Union?
A: The MC Staff Union is part of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, (AFSCME) which is part of the AFL-CIO. The MC Staff Union is Union Local 2380—specifically set forth and established for the MC Staff workers of Montgomery College in the late 1990’s. The MC Staff Union Local 2380, is under the establishment and jurisdiction of AFSCME Council 67 in the State of Maryland.  All MC Staff Union members are members of AFSCME, an International Labor Union. AFSCME is an organized and well respected Labor Union for drivers, school employees, some police and security workers, public utility, water and sewer workers, Nurses, Health Care and hospital workers, State employees, County employee’s, Government employee’s and so on. For complete details you may visit the Council 67 website or the AFSCME international website.  http://www.afscme67.org


Q: Where can I find my shop stewards and how do I contact them?
A: Your shop stewards are listed in the Eboard link and Shop Steward link above. You will find all the information you need to contact them directly. You will need to contact the Shop Steward who handles your area or campus.


Q: If I join the Union and I want to become a Shop Steward or maybe run for office, can I?
A: Of course! For a seat on the Executive board, you will have to wait until the annual vote comes around for any changes in offices, and then a campaign to muster up votes is up to you. For Shop Steward training, you will need to send in a request to the Union and we will notify you when the next training session begins (they are held usually twice per year--and you get Union Business Leave to attend!). The Union will take care of your Leave during trainings, so you don’t have to use any Annual or Sick leave to take the training and become certified as a Shop Steward. You can also fill a seat as an alternate Shop Steward if a permanent one is unavailable in your area. 



Have a question for the Union? Send it to us!! We will answer it directly, or thru this website, and you will always remain anonymous if we use your question. Send your Questions to your Shop Steward today and they will contact the webmaster!