Totally insane question, I know.
But how do you start a union?
(In the USA.)
Wow. That’s not really helpful.
You’ll still have to do some research, but the mechanics are this:
[ul]
[li]Define your bargaining group.[/li][li]Get at least 30% of your bargaining group to sign cards asking for representation.[/li][li]Take these to the NRLB to ask for an election.[/li][li]Win the election.[/li][li]Congratulations. You’re now union represented.[/li][li]Negotiate a contract with your employer.[/li][li]Convince the rest of your bargaining group to accept the contract (secret ballot).[/li][li]Congratulations. You’re now working under a union contract.[/li][/ul]
I’m not a union expert. I only know that after a lengthy, successful fight against forced union membership by some nasty salter in my workgroup. However you don’t work with me, and you’re no threat to me, so feel free to pursue your dream. If you’re sincere about your reasons, maybe you’ll allow people who want nothing to do with your union to opt out of agency fees.
The fine folks at the NLRB will be glad to help you: http://www.nlrb.gov/Workplace_Rights/i_am_new_to_this_website/how_do_i_file_a_petition_to_start_or_remove_a_union.aspx
You might also want to ask around or use Google as to your particular occupation, craft or trade, and see what union is already active therein. Contact them, and I’m sure you’ll learn a lot.
During the time between the signing of the cards and the election the employeer normally try every method to get the employees to vote against the union. the union should hold meetings to explain why they should vote union.
It is not as easy as the steps listed above.
Do you remember the movie Norma Rae? It was 10 years betweenl the winning of the election and the company being willing to negotiate.
What this has to do with the OP is beyond me. Try to not slip in personal opinions in General Questions.
samclem Moderator, General Questions
Well, since you ask, it adds background information (or “perspective” if you will) to the answer that I gave. The first answer that even got close to answering the OP, I might add. Since the process that I listed is based on personal experience rather than a cite (and there’s nothing that cites in such an concise summary as my answer), it’s certainly important to provide background to the answer such that whomever decides to use the information can make an informed decision about the credibility of the data.
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I realize that you’re warning about “personal opinion” but nothing there is “personal opinion.” It’s history, fact, and a suggestion. In fact, your inappropriate warning is much more blatant editorializing than the perspective that I offered.
(This is fact, not opinion). The steps are the process. I didn’t indicate that it was an easy or quick process. Some moderators might consider that as injecting a personal opinion.
Another fact is that it’s not just the employer that will try to stop unions. There are smart employees that recognize how unions may not be in their interest, too. History, not opinion here: when we went through the process, the company made major pains to follow the law and honor existing union contracts. They didn’t interfere. However, we non-supporters finally drove the union off after exposing the (in our case, your case may very) ridiculous contract terms.
Fact, again: we were victorious, but it took three years, two and a half of which I was represented but not working under a contract. The UAW was much more nasty that the company ever had been throughout the ordeal.
Fact not my opinion from some of my experiences where I or family members have gone through an election.
My employeer told the non represented employees if they went union that they would have to take pay cuts because they were not fully qualified maintenance engineers so they be demoted to utilities. That was incorrect. They claimed that the unions retirement program would be deducted from their check, I have never had one cent deducted for my retirement fund. Where as the company anuity program could have 100% matching funds. They tried to hide the fact that the matching funds come if the company has a paper profit, normally the matching funds were less than 3%, and the total base is deducted from the employees pay check. They tried to claim that the union could force them out on strike, they only way the union can call a strike is if a majority of the employees want the strike.
Then they claimed that if they voted union there would be layoffs. And there were a lot of other claims. They talked the employees into voting aginst going union. The end results. No matching funds, positions were eliminated those who were left were demoted into lower paying positions but expected to have the same work done with less people.
My brothers employeer promised pay raises and better conditions if they voted non union. Everyone but my brother voted to stay non union. The week after the election, new health care with less coverage, and co pays. Retirement program elimated. New vacation plan, everyone gets two weeks, my brother had the seniority for three weeks. My brother quit on the spot and got another job.
Most unions are looking to expand their membership. You go to them and they will walk you through it. They will provide organizers and picketers if you need them. Find one with similar skills if possible.
It takes guts. Companies will make every threat and a ton of empty promises to win. Then will work workers against each other. They will convince someone very close to the employee organizers to tell them everything that is going on. They will hire people like crazy that will vote against it. They will claim that some were employed off site. It won’t be easy.