The Five Basic Steps to Organizing a Union
There are a few basic steps to winning a union voice on the job. To start organizing a union at your workplace, quietly talk to a few coworkers who you think might be interested in organizing, then contact us and we’ll help you develop a comprehensive organizing plan.
Step 1: Build an Organizing Committee
Leaders are identified, and an organizing committee representing all major departments and shifts is formed. Committee members must be willing to work hard to educate themselves and their coworkers about the union, and the organizing committee must be educated about the right of workers to organize.
Step 2: Adopt An Issues Program
The organizing campaign activities include developing a program of union demands (the improvements you are organizing to achieve) and a strategy for the union election campaign, as well as a plan for highlighting workplace issues.
Step 3: Sign-Up Majority on Union Cards
Coworkers are encouraged to join UE and support the union program by signing membership cards; the goal is to sign up a large number of coworkers, setting the stage for a vote.
Step 4: Win the Union Election
The signed cards are used to petition the state or federal labor board to hold a union election, after which the employer must recognize and bargain with the union. Winning a union election requires not only a strong organizing committee, but also a plan to combat the employer’s anti-union campaign.
Step 5: Negotiate a Contract
Workers must be mobilized to support the union’s contract demands (decided by you and your coworkers) and put pressure on the employer to meet them after the election victory.
Organized! Make It Your Union!
There is no other union where members run their own local unions like UE, but you don’t have to go it alone. UE will be there for you every step of the way, from organizing to negotiating your first contract, and teaching you how to build and run your own local union.
Can you be fired for trying to unionize?
Supervisors and managers cannot spy on you (or appear to spy on you), coerce you into answering questions, threaten you, or bribe you about your union activity or the union activities of your coworkers, and you cannot be fired, disciplined, demoted, or penalized in any way for participating in these activities.
How many employees are needed to form a union?
If a majority of workers want to form a union, they can do so in one of two ways: the NLRB will hold an election if at least 30% of workers sign cards or a petition stating their desire for a union.
Can I join a union without my employer knowing?
No. Every worker has the legal right to choose whether or not to join a trade union or participate in lawful union activities, and any action taken by an employer to prevent a worker from exercising this right, whether at the time of recruitment, during employment, or at the time of termination, is illegal.
Can anyone be in a union?
Any worker can join a trade union by law, and your employer cannot fire you for doing so; similarly, you are not required to join a union if you don’t want to. You can join any union you’re eligible for, which usually means any union that represents your industry.
Why do employers fight unions?
When employees express interest in forming a union, the company usually responds with an anti-union campaign, such as holding group meetings to scare workers away from signing authorization cards or speaking with union representatives. Their only hope is to keep you from forming a union.
What to do if employees want to unionize?
Do tell employees how their wages compare to other unionized or non-unionized companies that pay less; do tell employees you are against the union and hope it is defeated; do point out the meaninglessness of union promises; do state the possibility of strikes and the reality of union dues; do tell employees you are against the union and hope it is defeated; do tell employees you are against the union and hope it is defeated; do tell employees you are against the union and hope it is defeated; do tell employees you are against the union and hope it is
How much does it cost to form a union?
Employees pay dues when a union wins an NLRB election; the average annual cost of union dues is $400, or about two hours of pay per month, and unions prefer full-time dues payers.
Can a company deny a union?
Can an Employer Refuse a Union? In order to avoid an unfair labor practice, or ULP, an employer cannot refuse or restrain employees from participating in union organizing efforts, and both the employer and the labor organization must agree to communicate with each other, and neither can refuse collective bargaining with the other.
Can small businesses unionize?
The National Labor Relations Act applies to all private employers engaged in interstate commerce, which covers pretty much every small business in the United States, so even if your company only has a few non-supervisory employees, they may unionize.
Is joining a union a good idea?
Union members have better wages and benefits than nonunion workers, with union workers earning 28 percent more on average. Labor unions give workers the power to bargain for better working conditions and other benefits through collective bargaining.
Can I join a union during a disciplinary?
No, a worker does not have to be a union member to request that a trade union official accompany him or her to a disciplinary or grievance hearing; however, the union official must agree to appear on the worker’s behalf.
Can any workplace have a union?
There are unions for electricians, engineers, communications workers, actors, writers, and office workers, to name a few. 4. Form an organizing committee. Your coworkers from step one will most likely form the core of an organizing committee.
What happens if I join a union?
When your union negotiates payment and benefits on behalf of a large group of employees, you are part of a much larger group that has much greater bargaining power when dealing with employers.
What is the best union to join?
Unite the Union is the best union to join if you want to ensure that you get the best representation at work. Here are ten reasons why.
- You can earn more Trade union members earn 10% more than non-members on average.
- You can get more vacation Unions are the ones who brought you the weekend.
What are the pros and cons of unions?
Pro 1: Worker protections are provided by unions.
- Pro 2: Labor unions promote higher wages and benefits.
- Pro 3: Unions set economic trends.
- Pro 4: Political organizing is easier.
- Con 2: Labor unions discourage individuality.
- Con 3: Unions make it more difficult to promote and terminate employees.
- Con 4: Unions can drive up costs.