Since its founding in 1975, ASF has steadfastly stood by its members. Even during periods of state government upheaval and economic uncertainty, members can be certain that the union is there to represent you. Members have the right to vote for officers or seek officer positions themselves, be appointed to university and system committees and task forces, to participate in union membership meetings, and to vote on contract ratification.
Submit your application to join on the Teamsters Local 320 web site here. Local campus officers can also provide you with information about ASF and the current collective bargaining agreement.
Membership includes:
- Membership in a union representing over 1 million people, with a vast diversity of occupations.
- Teamster Service Bureau offering a variety of professional counseling services.
- Teamster attorneys for association consultation and advice on contract and labor law issues.
- Legislative lobbying on issues that impact public employees.
- Partial return of ASF dues to campus associations for direct member benefits.
Reasons to join:
- You will have a seat at the table to advance your professional career/ unit and provide input.
- Aspire to advance your career? Have goals of moving into a position in a higher range? Want to get experience in other functional areas of campus? You will have access to networking opportunities with other members on campus (socials, membership meetings, committee work, etc). Do not underestimate the power of fostering these positive relationships. Yes, you are serving ASF when you get involved, but personally you make a name for yourself, build your brand, and position yourself as valuable and viable future candidate for open positions on your campus.
- As an ASF member if you have any frustration about ASF operations you can speak with your local president or executive board members. Despite best efforts to communicate, there might be missing pieces that misinform and create a false perception. We will do our best to answer your concerns and clear up any misunderstandings.
- MONEY. We all want it and absolutely deserve more. As a dues paying member, you positively impact your long-term salary potential to the tune of thousands of dollars. The more members we have the more powerful our union is to bargain for competitive salaries. If we have a weak membership we absolutely will NOT be able to get the raises we desire and deserve in each new contract negotiation. Non-union workers earn 84% of the monies union members do. (data from bls.gov)
- Union membership is a desirable option, don’t waste it! Only 12.1% of workers have access through their job of union membership. (data from bls.gov)
- We have your back. You never expect to have to file a grievance, navigate the contract, stand up for your rights…but these things happen. Union membership means you have access to a Steward and the wisdom of your local and state union leaders to help position you and inform you through complicated processes.
- Protect your reputation and do your part. Whether we like it not, the possibility exists that a non-member will be viewed as a free-loader by their dues paying peers.
- Review the list of the benefits available to members below. These benefits would not be possible without the support of dues paying members. By becoming a dues paying member, you show appreciation for the hard work your union leadership provides and we are all less likely to have to give up the following:
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- Weekends
- Work breaks
- Paid vacations
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Sick leave
- Social Security
- Minimum wage
- An 8-hour workday
- Civil Rights Act/ Title VII (Prohibiting discrimination)
- Overtime pay
- Child labor laws
- Occupational Safety & health Act (OSHA)
- 40-hour work week
- Worker’s compensation
- Unemployment insurance
- Pensions
- Workplace safety standards and regulations
- Employer health care insurance
- Collective bargaining rights for employees
- Wrongful termination laws
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
- Whistleblower protection laws
- Employee Polygraph Protect Act
- Veteran’s Employment and Training Services (VETS)
- Compensation increases and evaluations (raises)
- Sexual harassment laws
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Holiday pay
- Employer dental, life, and vision insurance
- Privacy rights
- Pregnancy and parental leave
- Military leave
- The right to strike
- Public education for children
- Equal Pay Acts of 1963 & 2011
- Laws ending sweatshops in the United States