THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF JOURNEYMEN AND ALLIED TRADES
Established on April 27, 1874 as the International Union of Journeymen Horseshoers, the IUJAT ranks among the oldest labor organizations in the United States. Pre-dating the American Federation of Labor (AFL) itself by 13 years, the IUJAT is the oldest union in the United States retaining its original charter. The IUJAT has survived and thrived for over 150 years.
Fiction:
Unions are outside, special-interest groups.
Fact:
A union is simply a democratic organization of working people standing up for their rights on the job and in society. Unions bring people together in the community to stand up for issues that matter to all working people.
Fiction:
Unions mean more conflict in the workplace.
Fact:
Unions help resolve conflict and can make the workplace more peaceful and productive. A union contract allows the company and workers to sit down as equals and discuss problems as they come up. Without a union, workers’ lives are often in more turmoil because they don't have the security of a CBA or a grievance procedure to deal with disputes.
Fiction:
Unions cause companies to close.
Fact:
Companies close for economic reasons, and the vast majority of companies that close are non-union. However, some companies like to promote this fiction by illegally threatening workers who attempt to form a union with closing the company. Studies actually show that unions help companies by decreasing employee turnover and increasing productivity.
Fiction:
Unions used to be effective, but they’re not anymore.
Fact:
Unions are still by far the best way for working people to win economic security and have a voice on the job. The numbers tell the story: Union members make up to 30% more in wages than non-union workers. Union members are much more likely to have a retirement plan and health insurance than non-union workers. Unions also keep the workplace safe, curb discrimination on the job, and give workers a much-needed voice.
Fiction:
Unions force workers out on strike often.
Fact:
Workers vote whether or not to strike. Strikes gain a lot of attention, but 99% of contract negotiations are settled without a strike. No one ever wants a strike, and it is always a last resort.
Fiction:
Unions just want workers’ dues.
Fact:
Unions are not-for-profit organizations. The money that workers pay in dues goes into running the organization, primarily in the form of representation. Dues levels are set by each Local Union through a democratic process. The gains workers see in pay, benefits, and fair treatment thanks to their unions are far greater than the small cost of union dues.
Fiction:
Most union bosses are corrupt.
Fact:
It’s a tragedy when a trusted leader betrays the membership in any kind of organization. However, for the handful of high-profile stories that are in the media about corrupt union leaders, there are thousands of regular, honest leaders who are never profiled and positive stories that don't make headlines. Sadly, what most people know about unions, they only know from negative press, not from the good and important work they do.
Fiction:
Unions are in decline.
Fact:
Union membership has remained steady for the past 50 years, but the workforce itself has grown. Today, 14.5 million working men and women in the United States are union members.
Fiction:
Unions are political organizations that work to elect Democrats.
Fact:
Unions are not about politics. Unions’ work involves fighting for good contracts, helping workers improve their lives, and standing up for all working families. Some would say that work includes supporting pro-worker political candidates and legislation that help working people and their unions achieve these goals. While the IUJAT does not often get involved in political campaigns, many unions are politically active. However, it is not about electing Democrats or Republicans—it’s about supporting those who stand up for the rights and interests of working people.
Directory
Executives
International Vice Presidents
INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEES
Directors
Today
TODAY
Though the IUJAT has a proud tradition and a long history, the key to our longevity and success is that we are also a forward-thinking organization with a growing membership as diverse as the industries we represent. The IUJAT is unique among international unions in that we have a streamlined operation with minimal bureaucracy.
The IUJAT prides itself on being an innovative and modern organization with the ability to react quickly and adapt to the dynamic, challenging environment in which we operate. The principles that guide our decisions have continued to be the same throughout our long history and include:
• Putting the interests of our members first
• Providing support & autonomy to our Local Unions
• Structuring our union to provide for the highest level of member democracy
• Operating as efficiently as possible
STRUCTURE
With over 100,000 members and growing, the IUJAT comprises over 40 subordinate bodies. These include directly affiliated Locals as well as those that are affiliated through a National Union.
There are currently four National Union affiliates in the IUJAT:
• United Service Workers Union (USWU)
• National Organization of Industrial Trade Unions (NOITU)
• United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU)
• Home Healthcare Workers of America (HHWA)
The great success of the IUJAT’s Local Unions has been the driving force behind our growth. While there has been a shift within the labor movement to trustee or consolidate memberships into mega-Locals where there is little democracy or opportunity for members to be heard, the IUJAT continues to promote the true spirit of union democracy and membership participation through autonomous locals.
Independence
In 2003, with the support of its affiliates, the IUJAT chose to disaffiliate from the AFL-CIO. Time has proven that this was the right move. Not only has our departure from this moribund organization resulted in a major cost-savings to our members, but it has also freed us from the politics and bureaucracy that hinder those who still belong. Following our lead, many other unions have subsequently left the AFL-CIO. The Teamsters, Carpenters, SEIU, and UFCW are just a few of the international unions to emulate our independence.
FORGING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER UNIONS
All IUJAT affiliates are covered by the IUJAT’s No-Raid agreements with other unions. In addition to helping protect the IUJAT’s jurisdiction, these agreements facilitate future cooperative arrangements and joint organizing projects. The IUJAT is continuously expanding the group of unions that it counts as allies and looks forward to working with these and other labor organizations in the future.
.webp)
THE FUTURE
The IUJAT has a clear vision for remaining a strong, vital organization. In these uncertain times, we must always plan ahead and be prepared for the unexpected. It is our goal to build on our great successes over the past years and seek out new areas for growth. Our strength lies in our diversity. We are proud to represent hard-working men and women from a variety of backgrounds working in a wide range of industries and occupations.
This allows us to give a voice to all those who deserve representation and allows us to have the widest impact and do the most good. This diversification also makes us stronger and provides the most stability to our organization. The IUJAT constantly strives to expand our membership into new and untapped areas, and we are always working to extend our outreach and influence in established industries.
.avif)
.avif)
OUR MEMBER'S INDUSTRIES
• Carting & Sanitation • Construction • Electrical • Home Healthcare
• Home Heating Oil Service • HVAC • Law Firms • Manufacturing & Industrial
• Nursing Homes • Plumbing & Heating • Printing • Production & Maintenance
• Public Sector • Signs • Transportation