What it Means to be a Union Labourer
Code of Performance
Members of the Labourer’s International Union of North America are known for bringing more to the work site than their Union cards. Labourers built our Union by delivering:
- Experience in the field
- All the necessary skills for the job
- Pride in their work and
- An ethic of hard work and safe practices
To ensure that these qualities continue to be passed on to the present and future generations of Labourers and to assure maximum efficiency and productivity for our signatory employers, the Union adopts and implements this Code of Performance for its members and officers.
The goal of the Code of Performance is to ensure that our membership meets the highest standards in our industries. Our aim is to deliver craftsmanship that exceeds the expectations of our contractors and their customers. We need to provide and maintain a work force that makes contractors want to be Union and owners want to build Union.
Meeting these goals requires a commitment of our leaders to embrace the values of hard work and best practices at work and to pass them on to the members. It requires that members understand and incorporate these values in their day-to-day performance. And, it requires contractors to follow through on any complaints that Labourers are failing to adhere to our standards.
If you would like to see the full Code of Performance you can call the office to recieve a copy.
Local Union Responsibilities
- Understand and adopt the Code of Performance as part of the Local Union’s Hiring Hall Rules, or request a variance from the General President if the Local Union has previously adopted a substantially equivalent policy, practice or procedure; any such varience request must first be approved by the District Council(if the Local is affiliated with a District Council) and the Regional office.
- Educate members about the Code of Performance, its goals and standards.
- Provide guidance to members in their skills assessments.
- Provide training opportunities for members to upgrade their skills.
- Enforce the Code of Performance by suspending members’ referral rights as appropriate. Nothing in the Code shall prevent a Local Union from enforcing its own job referral rules provided such rules have been approved the District Council(if the Local is affiliated with a District Council), are not inconsistent with the Code or Job Referral Guidelines.
- Ensure a fair opportunity for members to contest any suspensions of referral privileges.
- Provide an opportunity to counsel members whose referral privileges have been suspended about how to prevent further problems.
- Promptly notify members who are discharged “for cause” and provide the contact information for the Business Manager of the District Council(if the Local Union is affiliated with a District Council).
District Council Responsibilities
- Assist Local Unions in effectuating the Code in accordance with Article II of the Uniform District Council Constitution and where the hiring hall rules are included in a collective bargaining agreement, in negotiations with contractors, to adopt the Model Hiring Hall Clause (Attachment B)
Member Responsibilities
- Acquire the necessary skills through apprenticeship and/or training programs.
- Report promptly upon referral to a job and show up to work on time, ready, willing and able to work.
- Be aware of and follow the Local Union’s job referral rules.
- Avoid excessive absenteeism and excessive tardiness.
- Follow directions from supervisors.
- Do not be insubordinate.
- Give a fair day’s work.
- Treat the Employer’s and the customer’s tools and property and those of fellow workers with respect.
- Avoid disruptions on the job by using the established procedures to resolve disputes.
- Understand and use safe practices and safety equipment.
- To be aware of Membership status and maintain monthly dues as per the constitution, Article 3.
