What it takes to form a union at work
Let's do together what we can't do alone
Under the law it is your right to join and participate in a trade union of your choice.
The process basically goes as follows:
Workers sign union cards
When a strong majority are signed up, the cards are filed at the BC Labour Relations Board
The Labour Board orders a vote within 5 business days (the vote is conducted by email during Covid)
50% + 1 of workers vote YES in favour of the union
Win Union
Bargain your union contract
What it takes to win:
- An Organizing Committee; that is, a group of workers committed to playing an active role in educating and organizing their co-workers.
- A strong majority of worker support for the union.
- Workers who know their rights and what to expect from their employer.
- Don’t worry! You won’t likely have any of these at the start, but you can absolutely build to it with a plan to win. We can help get you there!
- Call your local office or fill out the form to speak to an organizer and see what YOU can do make it happen!
Know your rights
It is illegal for your employer to:
- Fire you for union activities
- Ask you if you have signed a union card
- Ask you who else signed a union card
- Threaten lay-off, cut in pay, and reduction in hours for your union activity
- Transfer you or give you job assignments differently than other workers for your union activity
- Deny the union the right to talk with you or try to prevent you from talking to the union off work time and work premises
- Harass you because you support the union
- Should your employer engage in any of these activities, document it (i.e. what was said, when, where) and let a union organizer know as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can forming a union help?
Thousands of cleaners across Canada who work in places like malls, schools and office buildings have formed a union with SEIU and negotiated contracts with medical benefits, paid personal days and sick days, improvements to wages and better working conditions. You can do the same.
If we form a union, will the cleaning company lose the contract?
When workers are forming a union, companies often say they will lose the contract to scare us. In this industry the reality is companies sometimes lose contracts (which has nothing to do with us forming a union.) With a union, should the cleaning company ever lose the contract, workers have the means to demand that the new company honour jobs and the union contract with the improvements that have already been gained.
How much are Union dues?
Union dues are the way we pool our resources in order to stand-up for better working conditions and wage improvements. SEIU Union dues are usually 2% of gross earnings (only 20 cents for every $10 you earn).
You do not pay any Union dues until the majority of workers vote to approve a first contract and dues are tax deductible. Typically, the wage increase in the first collective agreement will more than cover the cost of dues.
Does having a union provide me with more job security?
Yes. When you are part of a union the employer can’t get away with terminating workers without a justifiable reason. With a union you will have a grievance procedure that empowers you to fight back should you be unfairly disciplined, laid-off or fired.