Why Organize?
In today's political and economic
climate, now more than ever workers need to join together. A union can
help create a more level playing field with your employer. Instead of
one person telling management that wages should be fair, health and
safety regulations should be followed and employees deserve good
health care benefits, a union helps you speak together, in one voice.
That chorus of voices has more power than one lone voice. A union is
the vehicle workers can use to help bring the chorus together.
CWA's Organizing
Goal Is Not Simply To Win Elections
Winning elections assures the union and
employees of their legal right to enter into negotiations with the
employer. That's all. CWA's organizing goal is to build a strong
organization to better enable employees to negotiate good contracts
and increase their standard of living and quality of life.
With a union, workers can get together
and create a positive vision for their workplace. If you think you and
your co-workers might be interested in joining together to make some
changes in your work lives, call us at CWA at 614 294-5265 or
send e-mail to us.
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:
-
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. CWA 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 CWA to talk with a union organizer. He or she
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% 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:
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.
Public Workers
Some public workers do not have the right
to bargain collectively. However, they do have the right to form a
union and work together to lobby for better wages and working
conditions. Contact CWA to find out the laws in your state.
Contact Us
