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Although every workplace is different and the
needs of workers vary, there are some basic steps involved in winning
a union voice on the job. Here's how it happens...
To begin organizing a union at your workplace there's
a simple starting point before going through the steps listed below:
quietly talk to a few of your co-workers who you think may be interested
in organizing.
This small group starts to privately discuss workplace
issues, what is involved in organizing a union, and making plans
to contact PSAC. When you're ready, contact us, and a PSAC
Organizer will meet with the small group to answer your questions
and help you develop a comprehensive organizing plan according to
federal and provincial legislation.
Step 1: Build an Organizing Committee
Leaders are identified and an organizing committee
representing all major departments and all shifts and reflecting
the racial, ethnic and gender diversity in the workforce is established.
Organizing committee training begins immediately. Committee members
must be prepared to work hard to educate themselves and their co-workers
about the union and to warn and educate co-workers about the impending
management anti-union campaign. The organizing committee must be
educated about workers' right to organize and must understand
PSAC policies and principals of democracy.
Also at this step basic information about the workplace
must be gathered including:
- workplace structure: departments, work areas, jobs,
shifts
- employee information: name, address, phone, shift, job title,
and department for each worker (employee list)
- employer information: other locations, parent company,
product(s), customers, union history.
Step 2: Adopt An Issues Program
The committee develops a program of union demands
(the improvements you are organizing to achieve) and a strategy
for the union election campaign. A plan for highlighting the issues
program in the workplace is carried out through various organizing
campaign activities.
Step 3: Sign-Up Majority on Union Cards
Your co-workers are asked to join PSAC and support
the union program by signing membership cards. The goal is to sign
up a sizable majority.
Step 4: Win the Union Election
The signed cards are used (and required) to apply
for certification to the Ontario, Quebec or Canadian Labour Board
to hold a vote or obtain certification.
The union campaign must continue and intensify during
the wait. If the union wins, the employer must recognize and bargain
with the union. Winning a vote not only requires a strong, diverse
organizing committee and a solid issues program, but there must
also be a plan to fight the employer's anti-union campaign.
Step 5: Negotiate a Contract
The organizing campaign does not let up after an
election victory. The real goal of the campaign, a union contract
(the document the union and the employer negotiate and sign, covering
everything from wages to how disputes will be handled), is still
to be achieved. Workers must be mobilized to support the union's
contract demands (decided by you and your co-workers) and pressure
the employer to meet them.
Organized! Make It Your Union!
In the PSAC, we are proud of our democratic tradition:
PSAC members run their own local unions – and there's no other
union where this is a truer statement. But you don't "do it
alone," either. PSAC will be with you every step of the way
– helping with everything from organizing to negotiating your
first contract ... and helping you learn how to build and run your
own local union.
Will we still be there after you win your first contract?
Absolutely! While we want and encourage our locals to make their
own decisions on issues of local importance, the resources of the
national union will always be there when you need them along with
a Regional Organizer every step of the way.
To reach the National Capital Region Organizer call:
613-560-4261.
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