Maintained by the RAF Caucus. New to unions? This is your starting point.
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A union is a group of workers who come together to negotiate with their employer as a collective. Instead of each person negotiating alone for pay, benefits, and working conditions, union members bargain together — this collective power is the core of what makes unions effective.
Unions have historically been responsible for many workplace protections: the 8-hour workday, weekends, overtime pay, workplace safety standards, and protections against discrimination. In the tech industry, unions like AWU fight for fair pay, protection from arbitrary firings, ethical use of technology, and workers having a voice in decisions that affect them.
- Traditional/Majority Unions: Require a majority NLRB election vote before bargaining. AWU-CWA has a majority bargaining unit among Google FTEs in the US.
- Open/Minority Unions: Any worker can join regardless of majority. AWU accepts all Alphabet workers — you can be active even if your workplace has not yet voted to unionize.
- Rank and File: Everyday union members (not officers). Emphasizes member-led power.
- Collective Bargaining: Negotiating a contract between a union and employer.
- Contract / CBA: Legally binding agreement on wages, benefits, and conditions.
- Grievance: A formal complaint that an employer violated the contract or law.
- Steward: Elected/appointed union member who represents coworkers.
- Solidarity: Workers supporting one another across divisions.
- Strike: Workers collectively refusing to work to pressure the employer.
- NLRB: National Labor Relations Board — the U.S. agency overseeing union elections and unfair labor practices.
- ULP (Unfair Labor Practice): Actions by employers or unions that violate the NLRA.
- Organizing: Building collective power by talking to coworkers and mobilizing people.
- TVC: Temps, Vendors, Contractors — Alphabet workers who are not direct FTEs. The more current term is xWF.
- xWF: Extended workforce — Alphabet workers who are not direct FTEs. Formerly called TVCs.
- FTE: Full-Time Employee — a direct Alphabet/Google employee.
- CWA: Communications Workers of America — AWU's parent union.
¶ What "Rank and File" Means
The Rank and File Caucus (RAF) exists to ensure AWU is driven by its members, not just its officers or staff. We believe member power is the foundation of a strong union.
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