NENA ::: Why a Union? ::: Your rights to organize a union and how to do it

Your rights to organize a union and how to do it

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects the rights of employees to form or join a union, and prohibits employers from interfering, restraining or coercing employees in the exercise of their rights to organize.
The National Labor Relations Board holds the authority to enforce the NLRA. If you want more information on unionizing at your facility please contact us.

Organizing a Union

Short Term Goals: Develop an organizing committee; have 70 to 75 percent of members sign cards

Long Term Goals: Establish a union; achieve first contract

Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the organizing campaign at your facility.

Facility information: NENA will compile all information on the facility; whether it is a single or merged facility; whether there are satellite units; relevant financial information; information on the Board of Directors , Trustees; information on any pending sales or mergers; and any and all other pertinent information.
Outstanding issues and patterns of decision making: It is important to know what the issues are, how decisions are made and who is involved in the process.
Employee and benefit information: NENA will collect information on the number of units and the number of nurses on each unit, what shifts they work, work status, whether full, part time or per diem, name, address and phone numbers of all potential members, all positions that would be included, policies and procedures, present benefits. Also important to know whether there was a previous union drive, are other employees represented by a union in the facility.

Plan

Identify and recruit leaders
Develop organizing committee
Educate all members, build union
Have 70–75 percent of members sign cards; if unable to reach this goal, review plan
Request voluntary recognition from employer
File a petition for election with the National Labor Relations (NLRB)
Maintain union strength throughout hearing process at the NLRB
Educate members to get out the vote

Implementation

Schedule small group meetings that cover all units, shifts, and groups of employees
Identify the issues at facility, establish goals
Assess leadership commitment to building a union
Build organizing committee with representatives from at least 80–85 percent of the units involved
Train the organizing committee, continue with group meetings to educate all members
Assessment by the organizing committee and NENA organizers for readiness to commit to a union campaign; when 70–75 percent ready, have card signing
Educate all members on what to expect from the “union busters”
Stay positive and focused on the members issues
Focus on union building by doing contract surveys, and by working on by-laws that will govern the group after the election
Test strength of card signers (i.e., have members wear union buttons) to determine their continued commitment

Evaluation
Evaluation is continuous throughout the organizing campaign.
Win or lose: