WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN ORGANIZING A UNION

For working people a union means more respect and the ability to come together to negotiate with management for better wages, benefits and working conditions. While many companies recognize collective bargaining as a way to solve issues in the workplace, some employers may try to block your attempts to start your union. When workers stand together they win. 

Typical Employer Reactions:

• “Give Us A Chance!” Employers may admit to making mistakes and assure those mistakes won’t happen again.

• Temporary changes or improvements (that rarely remain once the threat of a union goes away)

• Management may suddenly be very concerned with showing how much they appreciate and respect you as a member of the company.

• Management may say they won’t listen to the union, even though federal law mandates management cooperate when workers form a union.  

• Threaten your job, wages or benefits – it is against the law to threaten your job, wages or benefits as punishment for supporting a union.

• Pressuring supervisors to spread anti-union messages – again, this is breaking federal law.

• Raising fear of strikes – less than 1% of thousands of UFCW negotiated contracts end in strikes. Only members of the union can decide whether to strike.

Remember! Promises are temporary until you get them in writing in a union contract.