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Your Rights

Under Federal labor law, all employees have the right to:

  • Select UNAP as their bargaining agent without being threatened or intimidated by the employer. Discuss the union with colleagues in non-work areas (cafeterias, snack bars, rest areas, rest rooms, etc.) during meal and rest breaks.
  • Wear UNAP buttons.
  • Distribute UNAP literature in non-work areas during meal and rest breaks.
  • Be free from supervisor spying on UNAP activities.
  • Refuse to discuss the UNAP with supervisors or other management persons (including doctors).
  • Keep written records of all violations of these rights (times, place, people involved, and incident).

Under Federal labor law, the employer cannot …

  • Discriminate because you are a UNAP member or because of your activities or statements in support of UNAP.
  • Prevent you from talking with other employees about UNAP in in non-work areas during your meal and rest breaks.
  • Interfere with your right to wear a UNAP button.
  • Compel an employee to discuss UNAP or any matters related to it.
  • Support or give assistance to anti-UNAP employees.
  • Have supervisors or other management persons call employees at home to ask about their support or feelings about UNAP.
  • Spy on an employee’s UNAP activities in or outside the workplace.
  • Change hours, shifts, work assignments, patient load, or any other working conditions because an employee is a UNAP supporter.

Notice to private sector UNAP members and non-members regarding agency fee status (“Beck”)

Most UNAP contracts contain union security clauses that say that it shall be a condition of employment that every employee who’s a member must remain a member in good standing.  Under federal law, this means that you may become a member or choose to remain a non-member.  However, non-members must pay dues and fees to the Union because all employees covered by the contract must pay their fair share of the cost.  Moreover, non-members lose all rights of union membership, such as attending meetings, voting, and running for office. The Union must fairly represent all employees whether of not they choose to become or remain members.

Non-members have the right to be given sufficient information to intelligently decide whether or not to object to paying dues or fees spent on activities unrelated to collective bargaining, contract administration and grievance adjustment.  Non-members have the right to be informed of the process for filing objections.  Also, non-members who submit objections will receive a reduction in dues for non-representational activities.  The reduction is minimal (currently .46 cents/week reduction in UNAP dues).

For more information regarding your union labor rights, go to: