Agency fee--A provision that some states allow in bargained contracts requiring nonunion members to pay their bargaining agent an amount equal to or slightly less than union dues for administering the contract.

Arbitration--A form of impasse resolution in which an impartial third party rules in favor of the employer or your bargaining agent either on specific issues or on each side’s complete package of proposals; in some cases, arbitration may produce a compromise package.

Authorization card--A card filled out by an employee authorizing a union to represent that employee for the purpose of collective bargaining.

Bargaining team--The group of union co-workers that is chosen to represent your bargaining agent in contract negotiations.

Contract--A written, negotiated agreement, voted on by union members, that explains in detail your rights, job responsibilities, salary and benefits, and working conditions.

Exclusive bargaining agent--The organization employees choose to be their sole representative for contract negotiations.

Factfinding--A form of impasse resolution in which a third party reviews each side’s supporting evidence and then issues an advisory opinion in favor of either side’s package of proposals.

Impasse--The point at which no further progress can be made toward a contract agreement.

Impasse resolution--Any one of several methods (including arbitration, mediation and factfinding) used to end a stalemate in contract negotiations.

Local--A local union that is affiliated with the AFT while maintaining full autonomy, for example, to hire or fire its own staff and set its own policies.

Mediation--A form of impasse resolution in which a third party does not issue a ruling or decision but simply attempts to bring both sides to agreement through compromise.

Ratification--The formal approval of a proposed contract by union members--often by voting by secret ballot.

Tentative agreement--The final form of a proposed contract that is presented to a local union by its bargaining agent for a vote.