Use this guide to answer the most common questions about forming a union at your workplace. If you have any other questions, organizers are here to help!
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1. What would it mean for me to have a union at work?
When you and your coworkers organize a union, you’ll collectively negotiate with management on job-related issues. This includes securing regular pay raises, equal advancement opportunities, clear job duties, and better career incentives. A union allows you to secure your employment conditions with a legally binding contract, ensuring management can’t easily change policies.
Unionized workers enjoy better job security, better safety, a fair disciplinary process, pay equality, and full-time union representation to address unfair discipline, discrimination, and unsafe conditions.
Forming a union balances power between workers and management.
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2. What is going to be in our union contract?
You and your coworkers will shape your contract based on what’s important to you. A union contract usually covers wages, medical benefits, shift preferences, job classifications, discipline, allowances, and more. A bargaining committee of employees and union representatives will negotiate with management.
Workers will vote on the agreement before it takes effect.
Nothing changes until you approve the contract, and no dues are paid until it’s ratified, giving you the final say.
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3. Could we lose what we already have if we go union?
You would only lose current benefits if you and your coworkers agreed to and voted for a contract that reduces them, which is unlikely. Unionized workers typically earn 19% more and get better benefits than non-union workers.
Federal law requires your employer to maintain current conditions and negotiate any changes with the union. Promised raises or improvements can’t be withheld after organizing without violating the law.
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4. What is an authorization card? Is it confidential?
Workers who want to form a union sign an authorization card so the National Labor Relations Board has proof that there is enough employee support to organize a union. Management will not see who signed a card. Neither the union nor the NLRB will show your management any digital authorization cards or tell them who signed.
Don’t believe any scare tactics about signing an authorization card. It is only used to prove enough employees want union representation.
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5. Will there be a union election? Can we become unionized without an election?
When we have majority support, the union will request formal recognition, likely leading to an NLRB-conducted election. Alternatively, your company can voluntarily recognize the union without an election, but majority support is still needed for this.
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6. Are there other unionized locations like mine?
Boilermakers work for some of the largest companies across the United States and Canada. Your organizer can share with you if there are other similar industries or locations that are already unionized.
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7. Can my company shut down our plant if we organize into a union?
It is illegal for your company to threaten to shut down your plant if you join a union. Contact us if management makes such threats.
However, as non-union workers, the company can still make decisions about your job without your input. Organizing gives you the power of a union—the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers—to help keep your work safe and give you a voice on the job.