Five Steps Lead to Success
People form unions because they want to make positive changes and gain protections in their workplace. Although work settings and issues vary, you can count on these 5 basic steps to create a union where you work. Remember that every step of the way, your right to form a union is protected under US law. Are you ready to get started?
Step 1: Talk to Trusted Coworkers and Gather Information.
You’ve identified issues in your workplace that you know can be improved by forming a union. Start to approach trusted colleagues to talk about what a union might look like in your workplace, and gather information about recurring issues in the workplace. An OPEIU organizer can help provide the resources you’ll need to lay a good foundation to build a strong union. Reach out to us for guidance throughout the process.
Step 2: Form the Organizing Committee.
You’ll want to organize a representative group of coworkers, called an “organizing committee,” to make sure your efforts to form a union succeed. The organizing committee will educate colleagues about what forming a union means, motivate coworkers to take action with confidence, identify common workplace issues, and help plan how to build a union in your workplace.
Step 3: Build a Majority.
It’s time to talk more openly with other coworkers. Work with your organizer to build a plan to win over a super-majority of your coworkers. This is the time to make sure your coworkers have all of their questions answered, because next you’re going to ask them to take action!
Step 4: Make Your Union Official.
When you can show a strong majority of support, usually through the signing of “authorization cards” or a petition, the next step is to make your union official. There are a number of ways to do this, and you and your colleagues can decide which method is best for your workplace.
Step 5: Bargain a Strong Contract.
Once your union is officially certified, it's time to bargain a fair contract. You and your co-workers will democratically elect a negotiating team and decide what changes and improvements you want to propose to your employer. The final agreement will be ratified by your union members before it’s put into place. You can count on OPEIU staff to provide support every step of the way.
You’ve identified issues in your workplace that you know can be improved by forming a union. Start to approach trusted colleagues to talk about what a union might look like in your workplace, and gather information about recurring issues in the workplace. An OPEIU organizer can help provide the resources you’ll need to lay a good foundation to build a strong union. Reach out to us for guidance throughout the process.
Step 2: Form the Organizing Committee.
You’ll want to organize a representative group of coworkers, called an “organizing committee,” to make sure your efforts to form a union succeed. The organizing committee will educate colleagues about what forming a union means, motivate coworkers to take action with confidence, identify common workplace issues, and help plan how to build a union in your workplace.
Step 3: Build a Majority.
It’s time to talk more openly with other coworkers. Work with your organizer to build a plan to win over a super-majority of your coworkers. This is the time to make sure your coworkers have all of their questions answered, because next you’re going to ask them to take action!
Step 4: Make Your Union Official.
When you can show a strong majority of support, usually through the signing of “authorization cards” or a petition, the next step is to make your union official. There are a number of ways to do this, and you and your colleagues can decide which method is best for your workplace.
Step 5: Bargain a Strong Contract.
Once your union is officially certified, it's time to bargain a fair contract. You and your co-workers will democratically elect a negotiating team and decide what changes and improvements you want to propose to your employer. The final agreement will be ratified by your union members before it’s put into place. You can count on OPEIU staff to provide support every step of the way.
Are you ready to get started?
If you're interested in forming a union, reach out to us to learn more about the process. An OPEIU organizer can provide the resources you’ll need to lay the foundation to build a strong union, and they have experience to help you draft a plan that makes sense for you and your coworkers.