A union is a proven way to make your job better. When you have a union, you and your coworkers get to have a say in your wages, schedule, vacation policy, retirement plan, store safety, and anything else that impacts your life at work. Through the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election process, you can take steps to form your union.
How to form a Union in 13 Steps
- Organizer meets with workers.
- Organizes committee.
- Workers sign cards.
- Sign a majority – 60 – 70 %.
- On the same day:
- A) Make a demand for recognition.
- B) Petition the NLRB, with showing of interest.
- C) Serve employer.
- D) Leaflet the workplace.
- Fourteen days later – the NLRB conducts a unit hearing to determine the bargaining unit and set election date, location and times.
- Election could be only ten days later. The union must win the election by 50%, plus one vote. The day after the election, we leaflet the workplace to let workers know about the contract proposal meeting.
- At the proposal meeting:
- A) The workers elect their committee.
- B) Develop their contract proposals.
- The negotiating committee, with the union negotiators, meets and bargains with the employer for a first contract.
- Ratification meeting:
- A) The workers get a copy of the contract.
- B) Discuss and vote.
- No worker can pay any dues until after the contract is voted on and approved.
- There cannot be a strike unless 2/3’s of the effected workers vote for a strike.
- No one on the payroll the day the contract is ratified will ever pay an initiation fee.