Union organizers help people who work secure union representation at their worksite. A union organizer informs people (mostly nonunion workers) about their rights, identifies and develops leadership skills among workers, explains the union organizing process and helps the workers campaign for union recognition. The organizer builds relationships based on what those workers do on their jobs, the problems they face at work and challenges and inspires them to get involved with their co-workers to have a say on the job by organizing a union.

The ultimate goal is for workers to build power in their workplaces by winning a binding agreement with their employer that makes real improvements in their living and working conditions.

You have certain rights designed to protect you as an organizer. For example, the right to

  • Join a union, and to ask others to join an airline union
  • Attend union meetings, and to ask others to attend
  • Wear a union pin on the job, so long as it does not carry a controversial slogan, or violate company policy or uniform requirements
  • Hand out union leaflets on your own time
  • Aassist in, and encourage others to support, a union, so long as your efforts don‘t interfere with your work or violate posted company policy

Certain restrictions placed on your employer . For example, management cannot within the law

  • Fire, lay off, or punish employees for engaging in a union activity
  • Bar a union representatives from soliciting cards or membership during non-work time, in non-work areas
  • Ask about confidential union matters, for example, “Have you signed a union card?”
  • Ask whether you support the union or a union representation election
  • Ask employees how they intend to vote in a representation vote
  • Threaten, coerce, or attempt to influence, or prevent employees from voting
  • Tell employees that existing benefits will be discontinued if you vote
  • Promise or give employees promotions, raises or other benefits if they vote against a union
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