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HOW IT WORKS
UNION ORGANIZING TIMELINE
We greatly appreciate your interest in forming a Union.
Given the current political and civil rights movements, widening income inequality, and willingness of people to use technology to organize,
there is no better time to consider organizing a Union.
We will educate you on the benefits of forming a Union so that you can communicate them to those who may benefit. We will be there with you every step of the way along the process of organizing, campaigning, and negotiating your wages, benefits, and treatment in the workplace.
The time for UNITY is now.
You have a voice. You have the power.
Together we can build a better future.
THIS IS WHAT WE DO
1
See the Need & Form a Group
See the need for change in the workplace and find coworkers who agree about unfair policies & practices, wages & benefits. Engage with the employees, build relationships, and come to an understanding of the primary issues facing the workforce.
During discussions, it will become clear whether there is enough interest to move forward with the organizing process. If there is a willingness of the people to come together in solidarity and remain united throughout the organizing drive, then we have established our Organizing Committee.
2
Learn about Unions
Contact a local Union, learn the benefits of forming a Union,
& how an employer might respond. Most Union-busting campaigns are successful because the employees are not properly prepared for what lays ahead. This step is the most crucial in the organizing process. Generally all Union-busting campaigns have a familiar three stage roadmap: Fear, Familiarity, and then Division. These tactics typically begin when the employer finds out about the Union interest, and can continue through the election.
3
Sign Union Authorization
Sign a Union Authorization Card to allow a Union to contact the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) about your desire to form a Union and to negotiate on your behalf with your employer. All employees signing on to the Union will remain anonymous to their employer, and their jobs are protected by federal law. The goal is to sign 30% of at least one department in a company. Signing can be done in person, or digitally at www.localunion514.com/join
4
Register a Union Application
In order to file a Union Petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Union must secure 30% majority of at least one department within the company. If only one department has a majority interest in the union, then the Union is able to negotiate only on behalf of the employees working in that department. Once the petition for the bargaining unit employees has been submitted, the NLRB provides notice to the employer that the NLRB will be conducting a Union election.
5
Participate in Campaign
Employees and Employers distribute information in support or opposition to forming a Union. The Organizing Committee - the people who are leaders, have the trust and respect of the employees, and show the willingness and ability to share the mission of the Union internally - communicate with the Union to prepare for the employer's Union-busting tactics. Employees are educated that the law is on their side and the Union will take every action to legally protect them.
6
Elect Union Representation
On Election Day all employees covered under the bargaining unit have the opportunity to vote yes or no to forming a Union. This election is held at the workplace by secret paper ballot. Union elections are moderated by federal officials from the NLRB to ensure the results are fair, accurate, and that there is no use of intimidation on either side. A majority vote forms a Union. The employer is then obligated to negotiate with the Union team regarding wages, benefits, policies and the conditions of the bargaining unit employees.
7
Contract Negotiation
Union leadership and an elected Employee Negotiating Committee negotiate policy changes with the employer at meetings often overseen by legal teams on both sides.
When the Union and the employer reach a tentative agreement, the Union membership has the opportunity to vote on the contract terms. No contract is approved without majority vote of the union members. Union Contracts typically have a 3-year protection guarantee that is protected by law. The conditions of the contract may only be ammended after the contract expiration.
8
Contract Servicing
A Union Business Agent is assigned to monitor the terms of the contract, with the aid of an elected Employee Representative. The Business Agent is accessible and available to employees, attending to all matters covered by the contract, including: wages, health benefits, paid time off, scheduling, safety, seniority, grievances, disciplinary actions, layoffs, and more. As this step begins, each Union Member begins paying monthly dues (typically $40 per month). Dues are deducted from the paycheck of the employee and remitted to the Union on a monthly basis by the employer.
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