WHY BELONG TO ASPEP?

We are professional employees working together to make our jobs better. As a member of ASPEP, you participate in the premiere labor association dedicated to fostering and improving your professional and career-enhancing interests.

THROUGH ASPEP, YOU WILL HAVE THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO:

• Democratically determine negotiations priorities such as wages, benefits and work rules
• Follow a predetermined grievance process, which will guarantee that your contract is upheld and your rights protected.
• Run for office and elect ASPEP leaders from among your peers to negotiate your contracts and represent your concerns with management.
• Communicate with other professionals about issues of common concern.

Your participation is crucial to the future of the organization and of your profession. Your input is necessary and always welcome.

THE ASPEP/COMPANY CONTRACT DEFINES YOUR WORKING CONDITIONS

With ASPEP, you decide what to ask for in your contract. You elect a collective bargaining committee to negotiate on your behalf. These committee members are assisted by legal counsel and a professional, experienced negotiator.

The members who will work under the contract then have the right to vote on the agreement. The Contract is not effective until ratified by a vote of your peers.

Once signed, management cannot change pay rates, benefits (Lockheed Martin), or any other working conditions without agreement from the collective bargaining unit; and, that is YOU.

ASPEP is an industry leader on items such as: pay rates, retirement/pension plans, health plans, tuition reimbursement, alternative work schedules (flextime, 9/80 work schedules, etc.), training and promotional opportunities, vacation policies, paid absences, and job security.

ASPEP ON THE JOB: SOMEONE TO TURN TO

Without ASPEP, management can make up and apply personnel policies anyway it wants.

When you are protected by the ASPEP/Company contract, your rights are spelled out in writing, and management is legally required to respect them.

If you face an unfair performance review, discrimination, harassment, dismissal, or denial of rights or benefits under the contract, ASPEP is at your side.

ASPEP representatives are available to help when disputes with management arise. They argue members' cases in accordance with the contractually specified grievance procedure -- a workplace judicial system with progressive steps. If the member and the association remain unsatisfied with the results, they can take the case before a neutral arbitrator (judge), who is selected by both sides -- management and ASPEP. Both are legally bound to obey the arbitrator's decision.

Because of ASPEP, management no longer has the final say.

ASPEP DUES: AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR FUTURE

Your dues are an investment in your future. ASPEP -- through conservative expenditure and a constant system of checks and balances -- sees that you get the most for your money. In addition to having dedicated ASPEP leaders, ASPEP retains a professional Executive Director and legal counsel to provide membership services.

An external audit is conducted annually by an independent auditing firm. Our financial statements remain unqualified, which indicates ASPEP's financial position and accounting methods are in full compliance with accepted accounting principles.

Under the leadership of the elected Executive Board, ASPEP has continued growth in membership and in service to its members. As the exclusive bargaining agent for Southern New Jersey engineers and scientists employed by Lockheed Martin and L-3, ASPEP stands apart as a viable and relevant force in the labor movement.

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

ASPEP's Congressional vigilance includes constantly monitoring the legislative agenda and ensuring that Congress is aware of the members' position on issues that concern their lives.

CONCLUSION

Through your membership, you are making an investment in the profession you have chosen as a life-long career. ASPEP will continue to provide the services that protect the contractual and legal rights ASPEP members have earned and deserve.

It's easy to join. Just complete a membership card and dues deduction authorization application and give it to an Executive Board member, Council Rep, or contact the ASPEP office to have it picked up. Both you and ASPEP will be glad you did!