Know Your Rights

The law gives us the freedom to unite and build a better future in our workplace. As employees, we have a legally protected right to organize a union, which includes activities such as:

• Discussing workplace issues and ways to improve our workplace during non-work hours (conversations about union building, including distributing flyers, must not take place during work hours).
• Attending meetings to hear leadership’s plans to improve the workplace.
• Distributing union-related literature during non-work hours.
• Wearing union clothing, buttons, and stickers, provided it does not create a safety hazard or violate the dress code.
• Continuing to provide quality services to our community while building our union.

It is unlawful for an employer, leadership (managers, administrators, or Board members), to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in their efforts to organize or join a union. They cannot:

• Threaten to fire or punish employees for engaging in union activity.
• Lay off or discharge any employee because of their union activity.
• Promise or withhold wage increases or special benefits to prevent unionization.
• Prohibit union supporters from asking others to join the union during non-work hours.
• Inquire about confidential union matters or meetings.
• Ask employees about their union activities or their voting intentions.
• Ask employees if they belong to the union or if they have signed union cards.
• Alter work assignments or punish employees for engaging in union activity.
• Threaten or coerce employees to influence their vote.
• Claim that benefits will be taken away if the company becomes unionized.
• Suggest that unionization will lead to layoffs or loss of existing benefits or privileges.
• Promise promotions, raises, or other benefits in exchange for voting against unionization.

Our right to organize is protected by law, and we must ensure that leadership respects these rights throughout the unionization process.