Safiyyah Maalik v. International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 2

EASTERBROOK, Circuit Judge.

A union of elevator workers negotiated a multi-employer collective bargaining agreement under which pay depends on classification. See http://www.iuec.org/master_agreement.asp. Senior workers, called “mechanics,” train and supervise a group of learners, called “helpers.” Depending on experience, helpers earn either 50% or 70% of mechanics’ pay. Helpers serve an apprenticeship and may earn a mechanic’s permit (and thus a substantial pay increase) after working for three years in the industry, receiving prescribed classroom instruction, passing an examination, and…