Unions
Unions
Chapter 14
Question #5
“Explain in detail each step in a union drive and election”.
There are five steps in a union drive and election:
Initial Contact- The union determines the employees’ interest in organizing, and establishes an organizing committee. Once an employer becomes a target, a union official usually assigns a representative
to assess employee interest. The representative
visits the firm to determine whether enough employees are interested to make a union campaign worthwhile. He or she also identifies employees who would make good leaders in the organizing campaign and calls them together to create and organizing committee.
Obtaining Authorization Cards- In order to petition for a union election, the union must show that at least 30% of employees may be interested in being unionized. Employees indicate this interest by signing authorization cards. During this stage, unions can picket the company, subject to three constraints:
The union must file a petition for an election within 30 days after the start of picketing.
The firm cannot already be lawfully recognizing another union.
There cannot have been a valid NLRB election during the past 12 months.
Hold a Hearing- Once the union collects the authorization cards, one of three things can occur. If the employer chooses not to contest union recognition, the parties need no hearing, and a special “consent election” is held. If the employer chooses not to contest the union’s right to an election, and/or the scope of the bargaining unit, and/or which employees are eligible to vote in the election, no hearing