Bring the IBEW to your Contractor
A step by step guide to forming a Union at your workplace....
Basic Steps to Forming a Union
Under the National Labor Relations Act, workers have the right to form unions in several ways—but voluntary recognition and NLRB union elections are the most common paths.
Discuss
​Talk to your coworkers: Have private conversations to identify common workplace issues and gauge who is interested in organizing. Keep your efforts secret from management at this stage. If you feel like there is enough interest at your shop, it's time to contact an IBEW organizer!
Reach Out
Contact an IBEW organizer: Reach out to the IBEW Local 275 organizers for guidance on strategy, knowing your rights, and navigating the process. We will also document your organizing efforts, which is important if management retaliates. The IBEW will have your back as YOUR campaign progresses!
Build
Form an organizing committee and build support: Gather a core group of committed coworkers to help lead the effort. This committee should be representative of the entire workplace (journeymen, apprentices, foreman, etc.). The committee, with the assistance of IBEW Local 275 organizers, should develop a plan, hold information meetings, and continue talking to coworkers to build a majority of support.
Support
Gather signed authorization cards: Have a majority of your coworkers sign union authorization cards to show their support for the union. Authorization cards can be signed electronically here. Signing a card or petition simply shows your interest in having the IBEW represent you for the purposes of collective bargaining. Any cards and/or signatures will not be shared with the employer!
Action
Time to put your work into action: If a majority of your coworkers have shown interest in authorizing IBEW Local 275 to represent them, either through signed cards, electronic signatures, and/or an authorization petition, you are ready for action!
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Voluntary Recognition: Present the showing of majority support to management and ask them to recognize your union. While many employers will not agree to this, it is an important step to try. If they do recognize your bargaining unit, you will move on to negotiating a contract. If not....
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File for an NLRB election: You can file a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a secret ballot election where you and your coworkers could vote for IBEW representation.
Win!!
Win the election: If a majority votes in favor of the IBEW Local 275, the NLRB will certify Local 275 as the bargaining representative for you and your coworkers. Be prepared for management to actively campaign against your organizing, particularly during the election period. Working together with organizers from the IBEW during this time will be important to maintain solidarity and strength!
Negotiate
Negotiate a contract: Once the union is certified, a bargaining committee chosen by you and your coworkers, will begin negotiating with the employer for a collective bargaining agreement. Once an agreement is reached, you will have an contract!