How to Help Get Rid of a Union
Consider whether and how you (or someone you know) may be employed in a workplace where a union has the right to “represent” you and collectively bargain for you which many workers may/may not like. , Look into how your National Labor Relations Act...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Consider whether and how you (or someone you know) may be employed in a workplace where a union has the right to “represent” you and collectively bargain for you which many workers may/may not like.
In effect, the union may be voted out of your workplace.
Elections of this type occur under the laws in the NLRA, which governs the general U.S. national labor relations of most private sector workers. ,, Instead of relying on the power of rules in the union-state to gain financial support for the union
-- perhaps, including firings for refusing or failing to follow union-contract rules
-- union officials may have to sell the benefits of union membership to each individual employee in the open union shop. , It can be worth it, only if you, the petition signers, agree that you could win. , You can find a directory of the regional NLRB offices in your area on the website., You must fill in the names of the union and the employer in the blank spaces above on the petition form before you collect signatures.
Use no employer help to collect signatures of 30% or more of employees, with no employer resources to get votes (no employer motivation, promises and not on company work time), or it will be thrown out, if proven. , This one sheet of paper is easy to fill out, and is available from any Regional Office of the NLRB.If the number of valid signatures are more than 50% of the eligible employees of that particular bargaining unit represented by the union, then the signed employees can request that your employer immediately withdraw recognition from the union, because it does not enjoy the support of a majority of employees in the bargaining unit. , -
Step 2: Look into how your National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) USA and your state's laws give unions “exclusive representation” power
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Step 3: but that contract may be: Terminated by the workers as a decert
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Step 4: or Changed by state and local contracts
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Step 5: or laws (statutes).
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Step 6: Check that some state governments grant bargaining privileges that:Give union officials monopoly (exclusive) power to make contracts; Bar you and other employees from individually negotiating your own contracts and terms of employment.
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Step 7: Explore decert elections: though it is generally challenging
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Step 8: the NLRA allows employees to call for a special election to completely get rid of the union as their “exclusive representative.”"Decertification Election" -- employees revoke the union’s "certification" to be the exclusive "bargaining representative".
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Step 9: Decide whether you would prefer to seek to decertify in order to have a workplace where you are free to discuss your terms and conditions of employment directly with the employer
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Step 10: without intervention by a third-party (union).
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Step 11: Decide whether you would work for state right to work legislation -- if you prefer a workplace in which union membership and the payment of dues is voluntary
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Step 12: which may require the company and union hierarchy to be accountable to negotiated
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Step 13: agreed upon rules
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Step 14: without requiring unionism or money from you to the union.
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Step 15: To get started: The petitioning employees should decide the strength of the support for decertification within your specific bargaining unit.
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Step 16: Get the official "NLRB’s Petition form" at the website which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF).
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Step 17: Get/collect signatures when the employees are on non-work time (before and after shifts
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Step 18: at lunches and at breaks)
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Step 19: and in non-work areas!
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Step 20: Attach the separate NLRB “Petition cover sheet”
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Step 21: filled out
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Step 22: which is "NLRB Form 502".
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Step 23: To win: You need the simple majority of only those that actually cast the ballot on the "official election day
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Step 24: place and time allowed" with the positive answers meaning Yes
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Step 25: I agree to decertify (more than 50% out of those who showed up and voted).
Detailed Guide
In effect, the union may be voted out of your workplace.
Elections of this type occur under the laws in the NLRA, which governs the general U.S. national labor relations of most private sector workers. ,, Instead of relying on the power of rules in the union-state to gain financial support for the union
-- perhaps, including firings for refusing or failing to follow union-contract rules
-- union officials may have to sell the benefits of union membership to each individual employee in the open union shop. , It can be worth it, only if you, the petition signers, agree that you could win. , You can find a directory of the regional NLRB offices in your area on the website., You must fill in the names of the union and the employer in the blank spaces above on the petition form before you collect signatures.
Use no employer help to collect signatures of 30% or more of employees, with no employer resources to get votes (no employer motivation, promises and not on company work time), or it will be thrown out, if proven. , This one sheet of paper is easy to fill out, and is available from any Regional Office of the NLRB.If the number of valid signatures are more than 50% of the eligible employees of that particular bargaining unit represented by the union, then the signed employees can request that your employer immediately withdraw recognition from the union, because it does not enjoy the support of a majority of employees in the bargaining unit. ,
About the Author
Karen Knight
Committed to making organization accessible and understandable for everyone.
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