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Voting

If the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) holds a vote, all eligible workers in the targeted group can vote by secret ballot, regardless of whether they signed a card or petition. 

 

Here's the most important fact:  the vote is decided by a majority of those who actually vote, not those who are eligible to vote.  

Suppose 100 workers are eligible to vote, but just 50 show up.  

 

If 26 (a majority) vote for the union, the union wins the election - and all 100 become represented by the union.

Key Fact:  unions are much more successful with smaller groups.  Do the math:  if 60 people are eligible to vote, and . . .

 

         60 actually vote, the union needs 31 votes to win

     40 actually vote, the union needs 21 votes to win

     20 actually vote, the union needs 11 votes to win

     10 actually vote, the union needs 6 votes to win

Key Fact:  unions sometimes tell workers:  "If you don't want the union, you don't need to bother to vote.  Not voting is the same thing as voting no."  

 

This is false.  Not voting makes it easier for the union to win because they need fewer votes to get a majority of those who actually vote.

 

If you don't want the union, show up to vote... and vote "no" 

 

 

  This is what an NLRB ballot looks like:

 

  • The company where the targeted group of employees works

 

  • What the election is about:  being represented by a union

 

  • The name of the union trying to organize the group of workers

 

  • Your choices:  

            "YES" means you want the union to speak for you.

            "NO" means you don't want the union.

If the union wins, EVERYONE in the targeted group becomes represented by the union.  This means:

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  • These workers can't talk with anyone in management about their wages, benefits, hours or "terms and conditions" of employment.  The union must represent them on these matters. 

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  • The union and management will try to bargain a contract setting the wages, benefits, hours and conditions of employment for all workers in the group.  On average, this takes about 18 months, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

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  • The union must have a role in handling grievances for all workers in the group.  The workers cannot go directly to management.  

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  • In states that are not "Right To Work" states, all workers in the group will probably have to pay the union just to keep their jobs.

 

Becoming represented by a union changes almost everything.  

 

If an election is held, be sure to vote - and know what your vote means. 

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