Educational Resource Page for Staff
FAQs about Unions
Q: What is a Union?
A: A labor union is an organization that acts as an intermediary between its members and the business that employs them. The main purpose of labor unions is to give workers the power to negotiate through collective bargaining.
Q: What is a collective bargaining agreement?
A: A collective agreement, collective labor agreement or collective bargaining agreement is a written contract negotiated through collective bargaining for employees by one or more trade unions with the management of a company that regulates the terms and conditions of employees at work.
Q: How much does it cost to join a union?
A: Dues amounts vary. You will need to ask the DC SAFE Organizing Committee (dcsafeunion@gmail.com) about potential DC SAFE Union dues.
Q: What is done with union dues?
A: Dues are divided between the local union and the national headquarters to pay operating expenses. In addition, salaries for contract negotiators, researchers, attorneys, and other personnel are paid through union dues. Federal law requires that all union money be held and used only for the benefit of the union and its members.
Q: How are unions formed?
A: Federal laws guarantee workers the right to organize and collectively bargain through representatives of their own choosing. Workers in a company may ask their employer or a federal or state agency, such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), to hold an election to determine if the majority of workers want to unionize. The agency determines which employees will be covered by the election. Once a vote for a union is won, workers in the bargaining unit will be represented by the union whether they voted for it or not.
Q: What is an election for?
A: Elections to certify or decertify a union as the bargaining representative of a unit of employees are decided by a majority of votes cast. To start the election process, a petition and associated documents must be filed, preferably electronically, with the nearest NLRB Regional Office showing support for the petition from at least 30% of employees. NLRB agents will then investigate to make sure the Board has jurisdiction, the union is qualified, and there are no existing labor contracts or recent elections that would bar an election. Shortly after the petition is filed, the employer is required to post a Notice of Petition for Election in conspicuous places (see posted notice below).
For more info:
Notice of Petition for an Election
If you would like more information regarding the election process you can visit the National Labor Relations Board website