When workers come together to form a Union, you get the right to negotiate with your employer over wages, benefits and working conditions.
Regardless of the industry you are in, the process for forming a Union is similar:
- Get together with your co-workers who may share a common interest in organizing a Union
- Talk to a union organizer 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
Once a Union has been certified or recognized, the employer is required to bargain over your terms and conditions of employment with your Union representative.
Learn more about your rights to engage in union activity.
Your Rights Under the Law
When you support forming a Union or engage in Union activities, federal and state law protects you from harassment by your employer.
This means you have the right to:
- Join or help organize a Union without being harassed or punished by your employer.
- Have meetings at lunchtimes or break time in non-work areas on company property without being harassed or punished by our employer.
- Talk about, distribute Union materials, or ask other co-workers to join the Union on non-work time (including lunch and breaks) in non-work areas (break rooms, locker rooms, etc.).
- Go to Union meetings and wear union supported articles such as buttons, wearables etc.
- Hold demonstrations and rallies about the Union or about work problems.
This means your employer may not:
- Fire, discipline, lay off, or cut your hours for supporting the Union.
- Spy, or pretend to spy, on your Union activities.
- Threaten or question you about the Union.
- Deny you the right to participate in forming a Union.
- Pressure you not to join a Union.
Organizing is your right. Secure your future with a Union contract.