Start a Committee
Before forming a union, it's crucial for workers to collectively identify the common issues or grievances they face in their workplace, ranging from concerns about wages, benefits, and working conditions to safety and job security. Through open discussions with coworkers, you can pinpoint areas that need improvement and understand the importance of solidarity in addressing these issues.
Get Started By Learning What A Committee Is And What It Does.
What is a committee?
The primary objective of the organizing committee is to serve as the foundational structure of the union. This committee collaborates to identify pressing issues within the workplace and propose initial actions to mobilize support against management.
The union representative, with the assistance of a union organizer, assembles the identified employee leaders to establish an organizing committee. This committee, composed of you and your coworkers, forms the foundation of your union campaign and aims to grow more support for your cause.
During this phase, the objective is to educate the committee about the benefits of forming a union, the legal procedures involved, and the potential management challenges. With the organizer's guidance, key issues are identified, and a clear plan is established to begin growing wider support.
When forming an organizing committee for a union, it's essential to go beyond simply recruiting long-term employees who are seen as natural leaders. While experience can be valuable, individuals deeply established in the workplace may have personal ties to management or be overly supportive of their interests. Therefore, the composition of the committee should prioritize individuals who demonstrate a commitment to the union's goals and are capable of representing the broader workforce effectively.![]()
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Starting with small, achievable steps helps build confidence among members and fosters a sense of purpose within the committee. As the union gains momentum and membership grows, the focus shifts towards formalizing structures such as bylaws and electing union representatives. These representatives, typically respected colleagues who align with the union's objectives, assume formal responsibilities within the organization and play a vital role in advocating for the interests of their peers.
Here’s Some Tips To Help You When Building Your Committee.
Establish a diverse committee representative of your workplace
Include workers from all departments, shifts, and demographics.
Consider factors like willingness to serve, availability for regular meetings, comfort with being a public representative, and likability among coworkers when selecting committee members
Consider factors like willingness to serve, availability for regular meetings, comfort with being a public representative, and likability among coworkers when selecting committee members
Train members to succeed on the organizing committee
Provide training for committee members on workers' rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and union-specific organizing processes.
Educate members on identifying and countering employer tactics aimed at undermining unionization efforts.
Ensure committee members are skilled in conveying the union's message and effectively communicating it to coworkers.
Educate members on identifying and countering employer tactics aimed at undermining unionization efforts.
Ensure committee members are skilled in conveying the union's message and effectively communicating it to coworkers.
Utilize digital communication tools
Keep committee members engaged and informed throughout the unionization process.
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.
