
4 Steps to Form a Union
- Get together with your co-workers who may share a common interest in organizing a union.
- Talk to a union organizer in order to strategize and to learn the next steps.
- Talk to your co-workers to build support for the union.
- Show that support through an election or a card-check once you have a strong majority.
- Step 1: Build an Organizing Committee. ...
- Step 2: Adopt An Issues Program. ...
- Step 3: Sign-Up Majority on Union Cards. ...
- Step 4: Win the Union Election. ...
- Step 5: Negotiate a Contract.
What are the steps in forming an Union?
Your employer may NOT legally:
- Threaten you with discharge or punishment if you engage in union activity.
- Threaten to shut down business if workers form a union.
- Prevent you from soliciting members during non-working hours.
- Question you about union matters, union meetings, or union supporters.
- Ask how you or other workers intend to vote in an election.
How do you organize an Union?
The settlement, obtained and first reported by the New York Times through a public records request, promises to create a more favorable environment for union organizing at the company’s U.S. facilities, allowing employees to gather together in parking ...
What is the process of forming an Union?
You have the right to (Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act):
- Participate in meetings to discuss joining a union
- Distribute, read and discuss union literature (non-work areas during breaks and lunch time)
- Wear union buttons, stickers, t-shirts and hats to show your support for the union
- Sign an ONA membership authorization card and demand union recognition
- Circulate and sign petitions
How do I form an Union at work?
Part 4 Part 4 of 5: Holding an Election Download Article
- Adopt an issues program in preparation for an election. Leading up to an election, you will need to begin to adopt an issues program, which is a program of ...
- Hold a card campaign. Ask your coworkers to sign union membership cards. ...
- Hold an election. ...
- Negotiate a contract. ...

What is the process to unionize?
If a majority of workers wants to form a union, they can select a union in one of two ways: If at least 30% of workers sign cards or a petition saying they want a union, the NLRB will conduct an election.
What steps should employees take to unionize?
How To Start a Union At Your Workplace in 7 StepsStep 1: Talk to Your Coworkers. A union is when workers join together to improve their jobs. ... Step 2: Talk to a Union Organizer. ... Step 3: Start a Committee. ... Step 4: Know Your Rights. ... Step 5: Sign Union Support Cards. ... Step 6: Vote! ... Step 7: Negotiate Your Contract.
What does it take for a company to unionize?
In most cases it requires a majority vote of the employees to authorize a union. If a union is established the company is said to be unionized.
How does a union get started in the workplace?
How does a union get started in the workplace? To form a union, a group of workers must either: have the employer voluntarily recognize them as a union; or have a majority of workers in a bargaining unit vote for union representation.
What are the five steps of forming the union?
The Five Basic Steps to Organizing a UnionStep 1: Build an Organizing Committee. ... Step 2: Adopt An Issues Program. ... Step 3: Sign-Up Majority on Union Cards. ... Step 4: Win the Union Election. ... Step 5: Negotiate a Contract.
How do you unionize without getting fired?
Distribute union literature; Wear union buttons or t-shirts; Ask co-workers to sign union authorization cards; and. Discuss unionization with your co-workers.
What is the first step in the union drive process?
Roadmap for Unionizing: First Steps When Organizing Your CoworkersBuild support for unionization.Host a union drive confirming majority support for unionization.Hold an election for unionization.Obtain certification from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), if needed.More items...•
How do you form a union for a non profit?
Steps to Forming a UnionStep 1: Reach out to US. ... Step 2: Build Support. ... Step 3: Sign an authorization Card. ... Step 4: Ask employer for voluntary recognition (or participate in a union election). ... Step 5: Negotiate your first contract. ... Step 6: Ratify your first contract.
Can any company unionize?
The Short Answer: Anyone! You don't need to work in a specialized industry, make a certain amount of money, or be a certain kind of worker. However, most union workers have the full protections of US law.
Can a company refuse to Recognise a union?
1. The fact that the union is not recognised does not affect the employee's statutory right to be accompanied by an official union representative. Therefore, in answer to your first question, you cannot refuse the representation request.
Why do companies hate unions?
Unions represent the interests of workers and can help push for better pay and benefits. Businesses often oppose unions because they can interfere with their autonomy or affect them economically.
What are disadvantages of unions?
Here are some of the downsides of labor unions.Unions do not provide representation for free. Unions aren't free. ... Unions may pit workers against companies. ... Union decisions may not always align with individual workers' wishes. ... Unions can discourage individuality. ... Unions can cause businesses to have to increase prices.
Know Your Rights to Organize
Before initiating the unionization process, be sure you know and understand your rights as a worker to collectively organize your workplace. This prepares you for any resistance from management as you go through the process.
Discreetly Talk to Coworkers
How do your coworkers feel about issues in the workplace? Efforts to organize will require support from coworkers, so it is time to find out.
Connect With a Union
Decide which union is the right fit for your workplace. Different unions represent different types of employees, so it is important to find the one that best aligns with your interests. This organization will be the one advocating for you and protecting your interests at work. Do your research to choose the best one for your workplace.
Establish an Organizing Committee
The first thing the union will ask you to do is form an organizing committee. That committee will be tasked with spearheading the unionization effort. “A strong organizing committee is the foundation for creating a powerful, democratic and active union,” says the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA).
Build Majority Support
Now, the more outward-facing phase of the campaign to unionize begins.
Step 1: Research
Any workforce can decide to band together to implement change. But to see additional legal protections and maximum impact, gaining official recognition as a union is key.
Step 2: Building a united front
You, being hip to the benefits of collective bargaining, are already sold on the idea of unionizing. Now you need backup. This means talking to your coworkers and getting them on board, too.
Step 3: Collecting authorization signatures
Your unit has finally gathered a significant number of workers who want to unionize. But to score those coveted union protections, you’ll need to show the NLRB (or other governing entity) receipts that prove the majority of workers are in.
Step 4: Win recognition
You’ve got the will of the people behind you and your unit’s signatures have been filed and investigated. If you haven't gone the route of voluntary recognition, a process through which you call on management to recognize your union and negotiate an agreement, then it’s time for an election where workers will vote on if they want to unionize.
