How to Organize a Union Where You Work
Interested in organizing a union in your workplace? A union is simply a majority of employees who join together to better their work lives.
Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) you have the legal right to form a union in your workplace.
The NLRA says in Section 7: “Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representation of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining . . .”
Section 8(a): “It shall be an unfair labor practice for an employer . . . to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in section 7 . . .”
Getting Started
To get a union started, the first thing you need to do is talk to your co-workers. Do they share the same concerns you have? Or, do they have other issues? Is there a common theme to these concerns such as lack of respect and dignity; lack of a voice in the workplace; unfair treatment; and/or wages and benefits lower than other people working in the same industry?
Workers Create Their Own Organization
Our experience tells us that it's best when workers organize themselves if they are to create a viable organization in their workplace. SMWIA Local 85 organizers and staff can help. But it's the workers who must join together and build their organization. After talking with your co-workers to find out their issues, you can call or email us to talk with a union organizer. We will set up a meeting with you and some of your co-workers. Together, you will create a plan for organizing a union in your workplace.
A Typical Organizing Campaign
The campaign will consist of talking with co-workers about the union, asking them to sign a petition of support. When there is a strong majority of support (65% or more of employees have signed the petition of support), the union will file for an election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Usually, the NLRB will then meet with the union and the employer to establish the criteria for employees who will be eligible to vote in the union election. The NLRB sets a date for a secret ballot election.
What You Can Do
Under Section 7 of the NLRA, you have the legal right to:
- Attend meetings to discuss joining a union.
- Read, distribute, and discuss union literature (as long as you do this in non-work areas during non-work times, such as during breaks or lunch hours and before or after work).
- Wear union buttons, t-shirts, stickers, hats, or other items on the job.
- Sign an authorization card asking your employer to recognize and bargain with the union.
- Sign petitions or file grievances related to wages, hours, working conditions, and other job issues.
- Ask other employees to support the union, to sign union cards or petitions, or to file grievances.
Bargaining A Contract
After the union's election victory is officially certified by the NLRB, your employer is legally required to negotiate in "good faith" with the union on a written contract covering wages, hours, and other working conditions. An employee committee will then be elected to voice the employee’s interests. SMWIA Local 85 will work hard to negotiate a contract, which represents those interests. Finally, a union meeting with all the represented employees invited will be held to review and vote to accept or reject the contract. Prior to the vote, the SMWIA Local 85 negotiating team will recommend whether to accept or reject the proposal, but only the employees can cast a vote to accept or reject the contract.
Contact Us
If you're interested in organizing a union in your workplace, call us at (404) 758-2689 ext 15 or click here to e-mail us a message. An organizer will contact you. We can set up a meeting with you and some of your co-workers to discuss the possibility of a union in your workplace.
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