ABSTRACT
There are three basic labor and employment structures under which employees work in the United States today. First is the “At Will Employment Doctrine.” Second, safety and health professionals working as consultants or other structured capacities within companies usually work under the terms and conditions of a specified contract. The third structure is often focused on a group of employees performing similar work activities and usually being paid on an hourly basis. In general, unionization in the United States has depended upon the actions or inactions by employers with regards to wages, working conditions, and related workplace situations. Safety and health professionals are not usually directly involved in the collective bargaining process; however, a base level knowledge of the important aspects that do impact the safety function is essential. Safety and Health professionals should be aware that there are different types of union security arrangements which affect the payment of dues by employees.
