Help!!! Need to join a Union!!!

[Dob Bole]

My boss is a dick. No, really. He is neither a people-person nor is he very reasonable. So about 8 of us want to join a union. Does anybody have good information on joining a good union for tech employees? What would the benefits be? I live in Georgia.

[SoCalDem]

1. Good luck... call a union office

probably any union.. Ask the person there how to go about it.

One thing I know for sure.. DO NOT LET THE BOSS FIND OUT UNTIL YOU HAVE ALL YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW ..

[TeamsterDem]

2. Well ...

-Dob-
The truth of the matter is that the answer to your question depends on a few variables, namely: how many employees work at your facility in the same sort of general capacity as you?

Lemme explain: If an employer employs 15 truck drivers (for example), then at a minimum, 50% plus 1 (8 in this case) would have to vote yes in a union election. First though, the union would collect "authorization" cards which effectively allow them to bargain on your behalf. To get to the "election" phase, unions normally like to have no less than 70% of the eligible workers to have signed cards, although only 30% is required by law.

The problem is, though (again, using the 15 truck driver example), if the company also employed say 3 forklift drivers and 2 general warehouse guys, then they could argue to the NLRB that those employees should be considered as belonging to the bargaining unit, thus throwing off the necessary equation for election viability.

As far as "tech" employees go, I've worked with the SEIU on many occassions, and I've never dealt with anything but consumate professionals. They know their jobs, they know their workers, and they really care about what's best for the employees. While I'd usually "plug" my union, it's not really a traditional area for us, so in all honesty, the SEIU is really the way to go.

The first step is to contact a representative in your area to discuss your hopes and concerns with them. While they're usually pretty easy to find in the Yellow Pages, I'd be more than happy to help ya if you'd like - just send me a private message.

Don't let the caveat above regarding employers trying to alter the bargaining unit discourage you though, as the SEIU's more than capable of handling this sort of thing. I just thought it might be helpful to get a glimpse of the process ...

In any case, I wish you and your co-workers nothing but the best, as it's a tough but just road to workplace fairness. If I can help in any way, I'd be more than happy.

[Capn Sunshine]

3. I'm not sure about tech employees

But if you do any state related work try the GSEU
or the SEIU? I bet they could help you find a place, maybeeven the GA Afl-cio.

[4morewars]

4. try this

www.aflcio.org/

Thats a good place to start, some tech workers are in the CWA(Communication Workers of America) also the communications division of the IBEW.
Also know this, one of your co-workers will rat you out, at some point. And the boss will fight the union, no matter what it costs. Having said that, I wish you the best. Good Luck !!!

[MichaelHarris]

5. CWA

I also suggest the CWA. They are growing stronger every day.

[Zinfandel]

6. Unions, the only thing keeping us from being completely overwhelmed

by the corporations. the ONLY thing. As if management will make sure we are protected, (they will tell us they care, bullshit)...don't make me laugh.

Unions, will give one support, a true "brotherhood" and support (they hate that, to them, it's "peasants" uprising) and make sure medical benefits are considered and received, they will fight to make sure our jobs stay home, fight for, simply, a fair wage to workers and most important, respect. YES!!!

But if you try to form one...they find way to fire you...what are they so afarid of? A decent living for workers?

Why do you think BushCo is so desperately trying to crush Unions?

But you know this.

[Dob Bole]

7. Thanks everyone...

I'm leaning toward the CWA at the moment, and I'm going to try to set up a meeting with all the employees on Saturday. Wages aren't our primary objective at the moment, just solidarity and legal protection. Also, our company is small- only 8 tech employees, and I'm pretty sure that we're unanimous on this. So the 70% requirement won't be a problem at all. Unless only having 8 people is a problem, in which case we're screwed.

[TeamsterDem]

8. minimum bargaining unit size is 2 ...

... so nothing to worry 'bout there!

Again, best of luck to you and your coworkers.