Introduction

The Basics

Operating the Union

Contract Administration

Organizing

Building Trades and
Other Organizations

Labor Law

Politics and Government

Useful Information

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Understanding the Union Mission

Mission statements represent the values of an organization. They are "rigid" in the sense that they provide the foundation for stability and purpose to members. Mission statements are not so rigid, however, that they constitute permanent rules and strict operating procedures. If this were so, leaders would be merely doing every task exactly the same as his or her predecessor in office. Don’t you wish learning your job was that easy!

Modern theories of organizational development recognize that leaders cannot expect to control everything. What leaders think should get done and what the organization actually does are two different things, even under ideal conditions. The rule that was invented to achieve a goal in the past may be out of date but the goal itself may no longer even apply to the mission. A close look at your union’s mission or objective as stated in your constitution will help you understand why your union exists and focus your efforts as a leader.

There are several common elements among the mission statements and objectives of building trades unions:

	Expand workers’ rights
	Organize the unorganized
	Support collective bargaining
	Secure standards for a living wage and adequate fringe benefits
	Defend standards for reasonable hours of work and decent working conditions
	Encourage workers’ moral and intellectual development through education
	Elevate the status of all workers in society
	Preserve the dignity of work for all workers
	Protect health and safety
	Improve worker skills through training and apprenticeship
	Promote happiness and security of members