Why Join
How Union Representation Works
Operating Engineers is your voice in determining your wages, benefits and working conditions. The union negotiates your contract with management. To do this effectively, the union gathers information necessary for successful negotiations.
The union asks its members what issues they want discussed at the bargaining table. Union members form a key part of the negotiating committee. Proposed agreements are always taken to the membership for ratification.
Local 3 means job protection. Negotiating a good contract is only the beginning. The union employs professional business representatives to enforce the contract and represent the member in disputes with the employer.
If a member is being terminated, suspended, demoted or subject to any other form of punishment, the union provides a professional representative through all stages of discipline, including hearings and arbitrations. When necessary, the union will take discipline cases to court.
The union also advises members in grievances when the employer violates the contract, the law, a personnel rule or departmental policy. This includes representation by an attorney when necessary. The union pays the entire cost of hearings and representation.
Check out what Local 3 can do for you!
- Full-time representation. Business representatives have extensive background and experience working in their respective industries and are specially trained to represent you.
- Aggressive contract negotiations, including preliminary research, salary and classification studies, in-depth analysis of prevailing wages and working conditions, and professional negotiations.
- Representation in all grievances, contested disciplinary actions, layoffs, terminations and protests.
- Superior wages that are often considerably higher than those paid by non-union employers.
- Health insurance, pension and other fringe benefits.
- Local 3 is considered an industry leader in all areas.
- First-rate legal counsel for filing briefs before personnel boards, arguing cases, taking legal action in courts, and all other necessary legalities to resolve your employment problems.
- Political activism focused on enacting new laws and regulations to enhance the work picture and improve working conditions. Full-time legislative advocates at the state and national levels.
- An aggressive public relations program, including an award-winning monthly newspaper and ongoing media campaign to promote the union to the public.
- Defense fund that provides strike funds and pays for legal fees and all necessary expenses in defense of union members.
- A world-class apprenticeship program that provides signatory employers with quality workers.
- Quality training in many areas of job performance and continuing education opportunities.
- Job opportunities available throughout Local 3’s jurisdiction of Northern California, Northern Nevada, Utah, Hawaii and the mid-Pacific Islands.