Union Authorization Cards FAQs
What is a union authorization card?
A union authorization card/petition/online form is a legal document that can give a union the exclusive right to speak and act on your behalf with regard to wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment. You do not have to sign a union authorization document to get more information or to vote in an election if there were one. You should carefully read anything you are considering signing and not sign a union authorization card/petition/online form unless you are sure you want to be represented by a union.
What do union authorization documents look like?
Authorization documents can take many forms and generally look harmless. Hard copy cards may resemble a magazine subscription renewal card. Petitions may look like a normal piece of paper often with very small writing outlining the legal obligations that come with signing. Some authorization documents are simply online forms that ask you to click on “I agree.”
Regardless of their appearance, however, a signed authorization card is a legal power of attorney that authorizes a union to act as the collective bargaining agent for you and other employees in negotiations with the employer. The documents also provide the union with personal information, including a home address and telephone number so the union representatives can contact you or visit you at home. The card may ask what department you work in and the type of work you perform. The NLRB requires only a signature and date on authorization cards; it is the union that wants the additional information about you that is requested on a card.
Why is my signature so important to the union, and what does the union do with signed authorization cards/petitions?
The union can do several things with a signed authorization card/petition/online form.
- If the union gets 30 percent of employees in a bargaining unit (employee group) to sign cards, it could go to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and file a petition for an election in which employees vote to determine whether or not they want to be unionized.
- If the union collects signatures from more than 50 percent of the employees in an employee group, the union could request that we recognize the union as the employees’ representative without holding a secret ballot election.
- The union may use your information to send you mail, make calls and texts, or visit you at home.
- If the union gets signatures from 30 percent or more of employees in a bargaining unit and files for an election, Sharp is required by law to turn over to the union personal contact info for ALL employees in the bargaining unit.
How do union organizers get employees’ signatures on cards?
Signatures on union authorization documents can be gathered in a number of ways including:
- Going to your home and asking to come in and speak with you
- Online and through texts and emails
- Waiting for you as you leave work
- Approaching you and other employees in Sharp HealthCare facilities while at work, in the cafeteria, break areas or in the parking garage
- Through meetings purported to offer professional education credits
- Through sign-in sheets at informational meetings
- Through co-workers who support the union
- Through flyers sent to your home with cards attached
What rights do employees have if they don’t want to sign a union authorization document?
You have the right not to sign an authorization card, petition or online form and to not be pressured or harassed by any union organizer or supporter. If you feel you are being pressured or harassed to sign a union document, you may tell the organizer you are not interested and to leave you alone. You can also report this to your manager or Human Resources.
Does signing a card guarantee better wages, benefits and working conditions?
Signing a union authorization card, petition or online form does not guarantee anything. If a union were to be voted in, the only thing it can do is negotiate on behalf of those it represents. In contract negotiations, you could end up with more, the same or less than you currently have. No one can predict the outcome of union contract negotiations.
If an employee signs a union authorization card and changes his or her mind later, can they get it back?
An employee who signs a card and then later changes his or her mind has every right to ask for the card back, and to rescind their authorization of union representation by sending a letter via certified mail to the union’s local office. It is also a good idea to send a copy to the National Labor Relations Board regional office as well, so that they know that the employee has revoked the authorization and requested that the card be returned. An employee also can attempt to revoke the card by asking the person the card was given to, to return it.
If I signed a union card and we have an election, do I have to vote for the union?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! If the union can convince enough employees to sign a union card we may have a secret ballot union election, supervised by the federal government. Every employee who is eligible to vote will be allowed to vote anonymously for or against union representation whether or not you signed a union card.
