How and why unions are formed organized

1
Section 2

• How and why unions are formed (organized)

2
Theories

• Alienation theory
• Scarcity Consciousness theory
• Recall Farbers (1989) article Trends in Worker
  Demand for Union representation

3
How to organize a union

• Initial Contact by
• Employee or group (most common)
• Union organizer (alsosalting)
• Employer (why?)
• Choice of union
• What is important for the Union to consider?

4
Employers Edge

• Captive Audience possibilities
• people are generally averse to change
• Active resistance and unfair labor practices
  (ULPs) with little penalty
• Research shows that ULPs are more effective than
  legal employer tactics..not good for union.

5
How can unions be recognized?

• Voluntarily..saves costs
• NLRB directive..the bargaining order (e.g.,
  because of excessive ULPs)
• Secret-ballot election
• First most show sufficient interest to NLRB
  (e.g., 30 authorization cards signing)

6
The appropriate unit

• NLRB chooses appropriate unit for election based
  on
• Worker community of interests
• Functional integration of workers
• Historical precedents
• Geographic proximity of workers
• Worker preferences

7
After Election

• NLRB certifies results of election after
  challenges (5 days to challenge)
• Vote no?no elections for 12 months
• Vote yes?bargaining unit is certified
• Unit must now fairly represent all bargaining
  unit employees
• Still must negotiate a contract
• 25-30 fail in this