The Union Organizing Process

TL;DR

Conducting a union election costs about $1,000 per worker. A majority vote in favor is required for the NLRB to certify the union.

Transcript

conducting a union election costs about $1,000 per worker whether the Union wins or loses in 2015 there were 1628 NLRB connected certification elections down for more than 7,000 per year in the 1960s unions won 1128 of the 2015 elections when a group of employees decide they would like to be represented by a union their first step is to file a peti... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍⚕️ Conducting a union election costs about $1,000 per worker.
• 😉 Unions won 1,128 out of 1,628 NLRB certification elections in 2015.
• 🥹 The NLRB certification process involves steps such as filing a petition, holding a secret ballot election, and certification if the majority votes in favor of the union.
• 👂 Employers are required to supply an Excelsior list of eligible employees for the representation election.
• 🇪🇺 Employees, employers, and union organizers have specific guidelines and limitations during a unionization attempt.
• ⚾ There is a possibility of voluntary recognition of a union by an employer based on majority support from employees.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the first step for employees who want to be represented by a union?

The first step is to file a petition with the NLRB, providing at least 30% worker signatures on union authorization cards.

Q: What is required for the NLRB to consider the petition?

At least 30% of eligible employees in the designated work unit must provide union authorization cards for the NLRB to consider the petition.

Q: What happens after the NLRB certifies the union?

Once the union is certified, the employer is required to bargain with the union for collective bargaining purposes.

Q: How does the NLRB determine who is eligible to be part of the bargaining unit?

The NLRB, or the employer and the Union jointly, determine who is eligible to be part of the bargaining unit for the Union certification process.

Q: What is an Excelsior list?

An Excelsior list is a list of names and addresses that the employer must supply to the NLRB, indicating employees who are eligible to vote in the representation election for a union.

Q: What actions can employees, employers, and union organizers take during a unionization attempt?

Employees can lobby co-workers during break times, employers can control distribution of union literature, and organizers can distribute information in public areas and visit employees at their homes.

Q: Can an employer voluntarily recognize a union?

Yes, an employer can voluntarily recognize a union if employees show majority support through signed authorization cards or other means.

Q: What is a card check?

A card check is a process where a company recognizes a union once it has evidence that a majority of workers have signed authorization cards indicating their support for the union.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The NLRB certification process involves workers deciding to be represented by a specific union and obtaining at least 30% worker signatures on union authorization cards.

• A representation certification petition is then filed with the NLRB, who holds a secret ballot election to determine the majority vote.

• If the majority votes in favor of the union, it is certified, and the employer is required to bargain with the union.