Organize
When Workers Stand Together, We have Power.
Steps to Forming Your Union
A better life comes from the power of workers standing together. It is what UFCW Local 5 Union family fights for everyday.
A Union is a group of workers standing together to have a voice in the workplace. At UFCW 5, we believe in fairness and community, and we are driven by the principle that EVERYONE has the right to a good quality of life. You work hard every single day to help provide for you and your family. Your voice is power and that power comes from joining UFCW.
- Unite with your co-workers. A committee of workers and UFCW 5 representatives will gather union support on union interest cards from workers who support forming a union. Interest cards do not make you a union member and these cards are not seen by your employer.
- A petition is filed a voting date is set. When a strong majority of workers shows interest in forming the union, UFCW 5 will present the cards to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an agency of the federal government, and will work with them to conduct a secret ballot election.
- Vote UNION YES. When a majority of workers “VOTE YES”, we have the right to sit down with management to negotiate a contract improve wages, benefits, and working conditions.
- Negotiations. A committee made up of workers and UFCW 5 representatives will meet with the company to negotiate the specific benefits you would like to see in your first contract.
- Vote on your contract. When a contract is negotiated, the union will thoroughly explain the contract and workers will decide to accept or reject the offer. Thirty (30) days after the contract is accepted or ratified, workers become union and begin paying dues.
UFCW Local 5 represents 30,000 workers. We are supermarket stockers, retail clerks, food processors, financial professionals, and cannabis workers.
Union Membership
- On average, union members make 30% more than non union workers.
- Working conditions, such as fair treatment, guaranteed rest & lunch breaks are enforced by a union contract.
- Union members on average have more vacation days, more paid leave and greater job security than non-union workers.
- Union members negotiate with management as equals over wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Non-Union
- Wages determined by management and can be changed at any time.
- Up to employer discretion with no oversight.
- No guarantees and can be reduced overnight.
- No guarantees and cann be reduced overnight.
Company Lies and Scare Tactics
Many employers resort to the same anti-worker, anti-union playbook of lies and scare tactics in an effort to stop workers from having a voice on the job. You must be prepared for these company tricks to win your right to form your union.
Tactic #1 Strike Talk
Your company may say the union will force you to strike and during a strike you can lose your job.
FACT: A strike is a decision voted on by you and your co-workers. It takes a two-thirds majority to authorize a strike
Tactic #2 Dues
Your company will say the union just wants your money.
FACT: The union value of union-negotiated improvements in pay, benefits and working conditions is far greater than the cost of union membership. Membership contributions are used to make your union strong, support a range of professional services that work for you. You do not pay until you win a contract.
Tactic #3 No Contract
Your company will say they will not sign a contract if you vote for the union. It is illegal for the company to say this directly. However, they may say, “We don’t have to agree to what you want in the contract.”
FACT: Most companies talk tough before workers organize, in an effort to intimidate workers. The company is legally required to negotiate with the union once workers win the election.
Tactic #4 Bargaining from scratch
Your company will say that when you negotiate a contract, you will lose the wages and benefits you already have.
FACT: When you negotiate a first contract, you will start with the pay and benefits you have now and build on them. You will decide what to ask for in your contract, then vote on it. The strength of your contract will depend on the strength and participation of your co-workers.
Tactic #5 Promises and Second Chances
Your company will promise a promotion, better pay, and get special treatment if you do not unionize. They will show stronger concern for you and your co-workers and say outsiders are not needed to help fix problems, asking for a second chance.
FACT: The special treatment will end on election day. Many workers may be tricked into voting “no” based on the company’s promises. Within a short, the promises are broken and the problems return.
Tactic #6 Anti-union committee
Before the election, a “Vote No” committee usually appears to do the company’s dirty work. They pass out literature filled with company lies or rumors about the union.
FACT: The company knows that if you and your co-workers are united, you can stand up and win your rights. The anti-union committee’s purpose is to divide workers. While the company tries to divide us, the union brings us together.
The Federal Law protects you.
The National Labor Relations Act, Section 7 States:
“Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities of collective bargaining.
It is illegal for your employer or management to:
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- Ask employees if they support the union or have signed a union card
- Tell you that the company will fire or punish employees for engaging in union activities
- Tell employees that existing benefits will be discontinued if you unionize
- Promise promotions raises or offer benefits if employees oppose forming a union
- Say Unionization will force the company to lay off employees
- Say the company will go out of business or close if you form a union
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