SEIU Local 1199WI

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How to Form a Union in Your Workplace

Forming a union is an empowering experience that you will never forget. But nothing that is worthwhile comes easy. The following are answers to few common questions people have about forming a union.

What's the First Step?

Contact the union of your choice. Unions have members and staff who have been through organizing drives and know how to help you build a strong union. You and your co-workers must build the union in your workplace, but the union you choose can provide essential help and support. To contact SEIU District 1199W/UP about forming a union contact Todd Schmitz at (414) 727-8199 or todds@1199wup.org..

What Happens Next?

Once you have chosen a union and contacted them, you, your co-workers, and an experienced organizer will put together a plan to form a union at your workplace. Forming a new union is a step by step building process. The first step is to build a network of support throughout your workplace, and from this network form a committee. Your committee will lead the campaign to form your union. In order to build support for your union, your committee will work with union staff to reach out to and educate your co-workers about your goals and how the process works.

Once it is determined that there is enough support, members of the committee will circulate confidential "authorization cards" which employees fill out and sign to indicate that they want a union. This is part of a process that is required by law in order to have a union election. When a solid majority has stated that they want to have a union by signing authorization cards, you then file for an election. The National Labor Relations Board will schedule a date for an election in your workplace. A simple majority vote determines the outcome. If a majority votes for the union, the Labor Board will certify the results and the employer is then required by law to negotiate in good faith.

How Will Management React?

It is a rare employer who does not oppose their employees' efforts to organize a union. Many employers claim that a union is an outside third party. In fact, a union is an organization of employees in a workplace that have secured the right to negotiate the terms of their employment. Management no longer has all the say in matters like pay and discipline. Management no longer has the ultimate power to make unilateral decisions. Instead, they have to bargain with their employees and reach an agreement on the terms and conditions of employment.

During an organizing campaign, employers will bring in high priced "consultants" who specialize in keeping workplaces "union free." These people are ideologically opposed to unions and make huge sums of money by scaring employers into believing that an employee union will create a contentious environment. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Unions provide a means for employees to have a voice at work - giving workers a voice ensures that they feel valued as employees and provides avenues for the fair resolution of greivances. These consultants will run an anti-union campaign based on flooding workers with disinformation about unions and distracting them from their goal of creating a more positive work environment. They will say anything to convince employees that they can't win any improvements with a union. But if this was true and you can't win any improvements with a union, why would an employer try so hard to discourage people?

Many thousands of workers successfully organize unions every year. The decision whether to have a union is ultimately yours, not your employer's.

What Rights do I Have When Forming a Union?

You have an absolute right to form a union. Under Federal law your employer may not harass, threaten or punish you for forming a union. The best protection against employers who violate these laws is to work closely with union staff to organize intelligently. By sticking together with your co-workers and standing up for what is right, you can win your union.