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Home » What Unions Do » How Do I Form A Union?

How Do I Form A Union?

Your working conditions can’t improve until you and your coworkers decide it’s time to get involved. Below is an outline of a typical organizing campaign, and tips for how you and your coworkers can work together to get union representation.

Remember: the right to choose union representation is a guaranteed right by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. Learn more about your rights according to the NLRA.

Step 1: Discuss Problems With Coworkers

First, initiate private discussions with coworkers about some of the issues you’ve noticed at work. If you have a problem, it’s likely that others are frustrated too. Having these conversations will give you a better understanding of whether or not your coworkers may be interested in forming a union.

Step Two: Contact The Union

After you talk to other workers, contact us for more information. We are available:

A Union Representative will reach out to you to set up a meeting.

Step Three: Attend A Meeting

After you contact a UFCW Local 152 representative, we will work together to set up a meeting with you and a few interested coworkers at a mutually convenient time. At the meeting, you can ask as many questions as you want and find out what it takes to build a union.

You’ll also have the opportunity to sign Representation Cards. These cards prove to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal government body that oversees union elections, that there is sufficient interest among employees at a location to have a union election.

Step Four: Build The Union

After you and your coworkers agree that UFCW Local 152 is a good fit, it’s time to build the union!

The UFCW Local 152 representative will help you and your coworkers come up with a plan of action. This includes the formation of strong, united workers to take charge and guide other coworkers; these are workers who will form what we call The Committee. Workers on The Committee will be key leaders from different departments and shifts, reflecting the diversity of your workplace and therefore representing the different interests and concerns.

It’s up to every employee to have conversations with coworkers they trust about the union and get as many Representation Cards signed as possible. With at least 60% of the workers signed, we can move on to the election process.

Step Five: The Union Election

Once we have a majority of Representation Cards signed, we submit them to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), proving there is union interest at your workplace. The NLRB will set a mutually convenient election day for workers, the union, and your employer at your workplace. Before the date is set, the NLRB will also determine which workers are eligible to vote in the union election.

Once an election date is set, it’s important to stay focused! Workers will need to continue to recruit union supporters as election day approaches. Your employer will use all kinds of techniques to destroy your confidence and collective unity. Winning requires The Committee and its supporters to stand up to the employer campaign.

When the union wins, the employer must recognize the union and bargain a contract.

START A UNION