WHY ORGANIZE? In todays political and economic climate, now more than ever workers need to join together. A union can help create a more level playing field with your employer. Instead of one person telling management that wages should be fair, safety regulations should be followed, and there should be better health care benefits a union helps you speak together in one voice. CWA’s goal is not simply to win elections. Winning an election assures the union and employees of their legal right to enter into negotiations with the employer. CWA’s organizing goal is to build a strong organization to better enable employees to negotiate good contracts and increase their standard of living and quality of life. With a union, workers can get together and create a positive vision for their workplace. If you think you and your co-workers might be interested in joining together to make some changes in your work lives, call us at (631) 654-1108 or email us at ivan@cwa1108.org HOW TO ORGANIZE A UNION WHERE YOU WORK Interested in organizing a union in your workplace? A union is simply a majority of employees who join together to better their work lives. Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) you have the legal right to form a union in your workplace. Section 7 states, “Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representation of their own choosing, and to engage in other activities for the purpose of collective bargaining…” GETTING STARTED To get a union started, the first thing you need to do is talk to your co-workers. Do they share the same concerns you have? Do they have other issues? Is there a common theme to these concerns such as lack of respect and dignity; lack of a voice in the workplace; unfair treatment; and/or wages and benefits lower than other people working in the same industry? WORKERS CREATE THEIR OWN ORGANIZATION Our experience tells us that it’s best when workers organize themselves if they are to create a viable organization in their workplace. CWA organizers and staff can help, but it’s the workers who must join together and build their organization. After speaking with co-workers to find out key issues in the workplace, you can call CWA 1108 to talk with our union organizer. Together you will create a plan for organizing a union in your workplace. WHAT YOU CAN DO Under section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) you have a legal right to: ·Attend meetings to discuss joining a union ·Read, distribute, and discuss union literature (As long as you do this in non-work areas during non-work times, such as during breaks or lunch hours.) ·Wear union buttons, t-shirts, stickers, hats, or other items on the job ·Sign a card asking your employer to recognize and bargain with the union ·Sign petitions or file grievances related to wages, hours, working conditions, and other job issues ·Ask other employees to support the union, to sign union cards or petitions, or to file grievances BARGAINING A CONTRACT After a unions election victory is officially certified by the NLRB, your employer is legally required to negotiate in, “Good faith” with the union on a written contract covering wages, hours, and working conditions. CONTACT US If you’re interested in organizing a union in your workplace, call us at (631) 654-1108 or email us at ivan@cwa1108.org. Ivan Millian will contact you. He can set up a meeting with you and some of your co-workers to discuss the possibility of a union in your workplace.
