KNOW YOUR RIGHTS:

Joining together with your co-workers to organize a union is a fundamental right recognized in U.S. labor law. It’s even affirmed in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

That said, employers usually oppose working people’s efforts to organize because they would prefer to have all of the power in the employment relationship. Some employers may violate labor law when workers organize, while others march right up to the edge of breaking the law to scare off organizing efforts. That’s why it’s important that you know your right to organize.

You have the right to:

  • Join a union

  • Talk to your co-workers and participate in meetings to discuss joining a union or other collective efforts to improve your workplace (outside of work hours)

  • Organize fellow employees, support the union, and distribute literature and membership cards to be signed

  • Sign a union membership card and demand employer recognition of your union

  • Wear buttons, stickers, T-shirts, etc. in support of the union

  • File complaints against your company if they are in violation of these rights

Your employer can’t:

  • Interfere with or restrain you from exercising your rights listed above

  • Fire you for supporting a union or participating in other collective efforts to improve your workplace

  • Discriminate against you or your coworkers in hiring, promotions, or otherwise take (or threaten) adverse action because you join or support a union

  • Prohibit you from promoting the union or distributing union literature at work in ways that do not disrupt work

  • Question you about your union support or activities in a manner that discourages you from engaging in that union activity

  • Promise or grant promotions, pay raises, or any other benefits or improvements to discourage union support

  • Spy on or record peaceful union activities and gatherings or pretend to do so

  • Refuse to bargain collectively with you and your co-workers if you choose to form a union

If you feel like your rights have been violated, contact IFPTE Organizing Director Paul Thurston, at pthurston@ifpte.org .