Text Box: Democracy makes unions stronger. The key to union democracy is an educated, informed, and active membership. Fortunately, you have legal rights that protect internal union activity, including activities that take place on/off jobsites and on/off union property. Join our coalition today by simply leaving your name, address and phone number. Members first will mail you our free news letter along with information regarding creating a more democratic and responsive union. Text Box: Your Rights as a Sheet Metal Worker You have the right, protected by federal law, to belong to the Members First Initiative, to express opinions about union business, to distribute literature, to file grievances under the contract, and to support or criticize union officials. Neither your employer nor your union may lawfully discipline you for exercising these rights. National Labor Relations Act                                                                                                   Your rights on the job are protected by the National Labor Relations Act. It prohibits both your employer and your union from retaliating against you for engaging in "concerted, protected activity," a legal term meaning actions you do with others relating to conditions on the job or in the union. Concerted, protected activity includes filing grievances, complaining about contract violations, Members First activities and rank and file meetings. Management and union officials may not harass you by spying on you or interrogating you about rank and file meetings or other protected activities.  The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as amended (LMRDA), grants certain rights to union members and protects their interests by promoting democratic procedures within labor organizations. The Act establishes a Bill of Rights for union members; reporting requirements for labor organizations, union officers and employees, employers, labor-relations consultants, and surety companies; standards for the regular election of union officers; and safe guards for protecting labor organization funds and assets. Distributing Literature                                                                                                                                              You may distribute literature at work in non-work areas, on non-work time. Soliciting Members First memberships or signatures on a petition may be done in working areas on non-work time as long as no literature is passed out. You may use company-provided, general-use bulletin boards to post literature and notices. Rules that exclude the posting only of union-related literature, or that are created in response to Members First activity, are not valid.  If Your Rights Are Violated                                                                                                                                         If these rights have been violated, you may file a charge at the National Labor  Relations Board (NRLB) by mail or in person. If the Board decides your case has merit, it will schedule a hearing and provide a Board lawyer to prosecute it. Your charge must be filed within six months of the date your rights are violated.  Inside the Union, Local Elections                                                                                                                       You have the right to meet, organize and speak freely, both in and out of the union hall. Union officials may not disrupt rank and file meetings or distribution of literature. You have the right to an equal opportunity to vote, nominate candidates and run for union office. All union members have the right to an informed vote on union matters. Under the Sheet Metal Workers Constitution and Federal law, almost all local unions hold elections for officers every three years. Members First can provide detailed information on becoming a candidate and running for office. You have the right to a secret ballot vote on increases in local union dues, initiation fees and assessments. Contracts                                                                                                                                                                          You have the right to receive, upon request to your local union, a copy of your contract along with all riders and supplements, written or verbal, and to inspect all contracts that your local union administers. Under the IBT Constitution you have the right to a secret ballot vote to ratify a contract, and that vote must be meaningful and informed. You have the right to discuss the proposal with fellow Sheet Metal Workers. Union Financial Statements                                                                                                                          Every private-sector union must file an annual financial statement with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) containing officers' salaries and expenses and other union expenses and income. The report, known as the LM-2 report, is a public document and may be obtained through the DOL or from Members First. Discrimination                                                                                                                                                              According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, neither an employer nor a union may discriminate against anyone because of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin or disability. The law is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC). The EEOC also enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which protects the rights of employees with permanent disabilities, if the employer can make reasonable accommodations to their needs. Many states have similar laws and agencies.  The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides the employees of certain employers the right to parental leave and protection for employees who miss work because of their own medical conditions or the conditions of members of their immediate family. Health and Safety                                                                                                                                                        The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is responsible for enforcing job safety standards, including the right to information about toxic substances to which you are exposed. You may request an inspection of your job site if you think safety violations exist. You may not be fired or otherwise disciplined for making complaints about job safety or for refusing to perform work that presents an immediate danger to your safety.