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Why People Join Unions
People who work for a living know about the inequality of power between employers and employees. Workers form unions so they can have a voice on the job to improve their lives, their families and their communities.
With a union, working people win basic rights, like a say in their jobs, safety and security. Unions help remedy discrimination because union contracts ensure that all workers are treated fairly and equally. When there's a problem on the job, workers and management can work together as equals to solve it.
Higher union wages translate into stronger tax bases for our communities, better schools and infrastructures and healthier local economies. And when workers have a real say in their hours and working conditions, they can spend more quality time with their families.
Unions help make sure our nation prioritizes working people's issues. Unions hold corporations and public employers accountable, make workplaces safe and fight to protect Social Security, retirement benefits and quality health care.
Your Legal Right to Join a Union
Your right to join a union is protected under the Constitution of the United States. Many states and jurisdictions also have additional laws protecting and strengthening this right. In America, your freedom of speech and your freedom to associate are guaranteed. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Click here for more detailed information.
The Members Run the Union
Membership in OAPSE, a truly democratic union, gives each worker the right to vote in the election of Local, District and State officers. Members vote on the activities of the Local and, most importantly, contract approval.
Join Us
OAPSE is Ohio's largest union representing:
- all employees of public and private elementary, secondary and vocational schools;
- all employees of public libraries;
- all employees of Head Start agencies;
- all employees of Boards of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities;
- all employees of state-financed general, community and technical colleges;
- all employees of Boards of Community Mental Health;
- all employees of public or private Residential Care facilities;
- all employees of Manpower Training facilities
- and all employees of private employers or subcontractors who by virtue of contract or other arrangement have agreed to perform or are performing services which could be performed by the employees designated above.
The 38,000 members of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) have chosen OAPSE to represent them for one single reason: OAPSE is the BEST! If you and your co-workers are interested in joining forces with OAPSE and the 1.4 million-member strong American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), you've come to the right place!
For more information, call the Organizing Department at 1-800-78-OAPSE (1-800-786-2773) or visit our Contact page. |
