Need a Union?

Why Organize a Union

Without a union, an employer can unilaterally change its employees' pay, sick leave or vacation accrual, or medical insurance benefits, or even terminate an employee without cause.

So long as there is no violation of law, an employer can change virtually any pay level, benefit or working condition of its employees -- or even dismiss them -- without consulting with them.

But in a unionized workplace, management is legally obligated to bargain with the employees' union over working conditions and levels of pay and benefits and may not discipline employees arbitrarily and without due process.

Many workers organize unions to gain some control over their work lives, where many of them spend half or even more of their waking hours. Often, these employees are seeking some way to ensure fairness and dignity on the job. They often find that a great tool for obtaining these goals is a good union contract.

A union contract is a legally binding document -- signed by both management and the employees' union -- that spells out an employee's rights and benefits, as well as a process for addressing employee grievances.

The Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild prides itself on achieving contracts that are based on input from, and bargained with the participation of, the employees covered by those agreements.

How to Organize a Union

One of the most important principles to understand when organizing a viable Guild unit is that the employees must want the union.

The union is not an outside group -- it is an organization of employees committed to bettering their working lives and those of their colleagues.

Another important principle to remember is that organizing a union in your workplace is a legitimate and legally protected activity under federal law.

To achieve recognition of the employee's union, the employees must demonstrate to management that a majority -- 50% plus one -- of the employees have authorized the union to represent them.

Demonstrating this majority can be done in several ways, and determining who should be covered by the union (in what is called a bargaining unit) requires some careful research and consideration.

Because of these technical issues, as well as the fact that many employers often fight to avoid having their employees unionize, it is advisable that you contact us before you begin trying to organize a union in your workplace.

The Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild
1100 15th Street, N.W., Suite 350, Washington, D.C. 20005
202-785-3650 (voice)
202-785-3659 (fax)
Click here to e-mail us: Local32035@wbng.org

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