They also give union members cash bonuses of $1,000 a year. All told, the backpay and bonuses will give union members an average payment of $11,000 per worker once the deal is ratified. After BMWED rejected their tentative deal, union leadership proposed adding paid sick days during a bargaining session, only to have management reject the motion out of hand. Congress can also prevent or end a strike by extending a cooling-off period or imposing a contract on union members. Union members working in other industries have recently balked at approving deals, even when recommended by their leadership.

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