Freedom of Association 自由结社（续）

KEY TERMS 关键术语

Collective bargaining Agreement (“CBA”): Set of terms negotiated by workers representatives (e.g.union) and management regarding employment conditions a CBA often replaces, or makes unnecessary, individual employment agreements between the employer and the employee When legally negotiated and registered, the terms of the CBa become legally binding and are accepted workplace terms and conditions.

Blacklisting: Creating, maintaining, using and/or communicating lists of employees or potential employees who have attempted to form or belonged to a union, for the purpose of denying employment or other penalty based on legally protected status or non-job related criteria.

DOCUMENTATION 文件记录

Proper documentation is important for providing evidence of compliance with the law and the standards above

You must keep the following documents on file and available to auditors and other authorized personnel:

• Grievance records (procedures, Suggestion/Grievance box records, follow-up actions, etc )

• employment contracts

• Collective bargaining agreements

• Minutes of the meeting between worker representatives/unions and factory management

• authorization from workers on union dues deduction

• training record on grievance mechanisms and foa standard/guidelines

BEST PRACTICES 最佳做法

WORKER PARTICIPATION IN SETTING RULES AND PROCEDURES

For rules and procedures to be effective, both management and workers need to agree to them. Therefore

allow workers or worker representatives to participate in the setting or revision of workplace rules and

standards. Encourage input on potential improvements to working conditions. Workers should be permitted

to openly discuss issues in the factory without fear of punishment.

MONITOR INDICATORS OF FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

Monitor the indicators of Freedom of Association by conducting regular self-assessments or surveys. Common

indicators that can be recorded and monitored include:

• Are there collective agreements in place? What do they cover? How often are they re-negotiated?

• What is the level of union membership?

• Is union membership confined to certain areas, grades, employment status or nationalities?

• How are union dues collected?

• Are workers able to declare openly the fact that they are union members?

• Do union representatives have access to the workplace and the workforce?

• Are workers allowed to take part in union activities at the workplace?

• Are workplace representatives allowed time and facilities to conduct union business?

• Does management seek to interfere in union activities?

• Are union members and their workplace representatives more likely to be dismissed or disciplined?

• Are union members less likely to be promoted or to be recruited into certain jobs or areas?