FAQs

Q: Who makes the decisions in the union?
A: The members do. A union is a democratic organization. Members elect union leaders and vote on union contracts, dues structures, and every other important decision that affects them. A union is a membership organization and is guided by the priorities of the members.

Q: How do we form a union?
A: The first step is to establish a committee at your facility that will share information about how to form a union.  When a majority of your co-workers have indicated (by signing cards) that you want to stand together to make improvements you will file for an election with the National Labor Relation Board, which is a government agency that protects workers' rights to form unions, and schedule an election at your facility. 

Q: When do we start paying union dues?
A: Workers will never pay dues until a majority of workers review and approve, by vote, to accept their first union contract. 

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The National Labor Relations Act 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 ...”

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Forming a union is protected by federal law

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS:
You have the legal right under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act to join or support a union and to:

1. Attend meetings to discuss joining a union.
2. Read, distribute, and discuss union literature (as long as you do this in nonwork areas during nonwork times, such as during breaks or lunch hours).
3. Wear union buttons, T-shirts, stickers, hats, or other items on the job.
4. Sign a card asking your employer to recognize and bargain with the union.
5. Sign petitions or raise issues related to wages, hours, working conditions, and other job issues.
6. Ask other employees to support the union, to sign union cards or petitions, or to file grievances.

PROTECTION FROM EMPLOYER ACTION:
Under Section 8 of the National Labor Relations Act, your employer cannot legally punish or discriminate against any worker because of union activity.

For example, your employer cannot legally do the following:

• Threaten to or actually fire, lay-off, discipline, harass, transfer, or reassign employees because they support the union.
• Favor employees who don’t support the union over those who do in promotions, job assignments, wages, hours, enforcement of rules, or any other working condition.
• Shut down the work site or take away any benefits or privileges employees already enjoy in order to discourage union activity.
• Promise employees a pay increase, promotion, benefit, or special favors if they oppose the union.