Rules about getting union authorization cards signed
A minimum of 30% of the workforce's signatures are required for NLRB approval of union elections.
If signatures from over 50% of the workforce are collected, approval to form a union can be granted without elections.
In cases of unfair employer practices, the NLRB may order union recognition with sufficient signatures.
Union authorization cards, whether paper or electronic, must explicitly grant representation and bargaining rights.
Both paper and e-union cards must include required fields.
Electronic signatures can be captured via email exchange or digital sign using PKI for e-union cards, with immediate acknowledgment to signers.
Unions must explain to the NLRB how e-signatures were obtained.
If a labor contract isn't reached within 120 days of bargaining initiation, EFCA can revoke negotiation rights for both employer and union.
Your Rights!
• Workers have the right to refuse or revoke signing union authorization cards and spread petitions against exclusive union representation.
• Signing a union card doesn't equate to a vote for union formation; workers can vote differently in elections.
• Worker anonymity is protected; signed union cards' details remain confidential between the union and signer, not shared with employers or coworkers.
Key Terms
National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
Aims to protect the rights of employees and promote collective bargaining between employers and labor unions. Key provisions of the NLRA include granting employees the right to form and join labor unions, engage in collective bargaining with employers, and take collective action, such as strikes, to pursue their interests. The NLRA fundamentally shapes labor relations in the United States by balancing the rights of employees, employers, and labor organizations.
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
A system that enables secure electronic transactions and communications within the union. PKI employs cryptographic techniques to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of digital communications, such as electronic union authorization cards. It allows unions to securely collect electronic signatures from members, ensuring that the process is tamper-proof and legally valid. PKI technology is often utilized by unions to streamline administrative tasks, enhance data security, and facilitate digital interactions with members.
Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)
A piece of legislation in the United States aimed at amending the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to make it easier for workers to unionize. The EFCA proposed several significant changes, including allowing workers to form a union if a majority signed union authorization cards (commonly known as card check), bypassing the traditional election process overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
