IBEW Membership Guide - April 2024

UNION GLOSSARY
Arbitration: When grievances don't get resolved they're sometimes
sent to arbitration, where an independent arbitrator decides the outcome.
An arbitration hearing is convened in which both sides present
their arguments. The final decision of the arbitrator is binding.
Article: A section of a legal document, such as a collective agreement
or bylaw. It is also called a "provision", "clause", or "language".
Bargaining / Collective Bargaining: Negotiations between the
union and the employer where wages, benefits, and working
conditions for a certain length of time are determined.
Bargaining Agent: The union named as the exclusive representative
for all the employees covered, or who will be covered, by the
collective agreement.
Bargaining Unit: All of the employees represented by the bargaining
agent.
Checkoff: A clause in a collective agreement that says the employer
must deduct dues from workers' pay and send those dues to the
union.
Collective Agreement: The legal document (contract) that spells
out the agreement between the union and the employer over
wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Discipline: When an employer punishes an employee for misconduct
and usually includes verbal warning, written warning,
suspension, demotion or firing.
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