The Steelworkers Union’s rules and regulations are designed to govern and control the activities of their members, both on and off the job – and the union defines that control in writing, in a very critical document – the union constitution.
Click on the sections below to learn more about what it means to be a Steelworker.
The Union is serious about collecting money from members as the constitution states:
“A member shall… pay all dues, assessments and fines or other obligations promptly when due in order to be and remain in good standing.”
— Article XI, Section 2
If members wonder who really runs the union, the constitution points out that:
“The International President shall have the authority to appoint, direct, suspend, or remove such organizers, representatives, agents and employees as the President may deem necessary.”
— Article IV, Section 7
The constitution spells out the “Discipline” process of members who violate the Constitution.
“Any member may be penalized for committing any one or more of…” 14 listed offenses, including the “violation of any of the provisions of this Constitution, any collective bargaining agreement, or by-laws or rules of the Local Union;…”
— Article XII, Section 1, a
“Any member convicted of any one or more of the above offenses may be … declared a member not in good standing, fined or otherwise appropriately disciplined.”
— Article XII, Section 3
The union’s constitution restricts the freedom of their members and violations of these rules can and do result in disciplinary action, including fines, for their members. The fact remains that the only way to avoid having to work with these restrictions is to avoid working under a union.