Union Organizing Frequently Asked Questions

How does a group of employees become unionized? What are “authorization cards”?

The process typically begins with union organizers or your co-workers soliciting employees to sign “authorization cards.” Sometimes these cards are in hard copy, but more frequently they are electronic forms found on a union’s website. It is very important to understand what those cards are and what effect they can have. You can see an example of a union authorization card here. This sample card is used by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which is the union the Architectural Workers United is affiliated with.

Authorization cards are legal documents used by unions as evidence that a group of employees is interested in union representation. Authorization cards should not be signed without considerable thought, because once signed the cards become the property of the union, they are effective for one year, and cannot be unilaterally revoked. In addition, if at least 30% of the relevant employee group signs cards, the union can file a petition with the NLRB for an election. The outcome of the election binds all eligible employees – whether or not an employee signs an authorization card or participates in the election. We urge you to become educated about union representation and collective bargaining before signing any legally binding union authorization card. Also, if more than 50% of the relevant employee groups signs cards, the union can demand that BAC recognize the union as the representative for the entire group, including those who did not sign cards, without holding an election.

Note there is no faculty union election scheduled for faculty at BAC, nor has BAC received notice that any union has asked the NLRB to conduct such an election.

If union organizers or co-workers supporting union representation approach me outside my classroom or at home, am I under any obligation to speak with them?

No, you have no obligation to speak with a union organizer or union supporter about union representation. Of course, you can choose to do so if you would like to, as long as you are not supposed to be working at that time. Many unions use office and home visits as part of their organizing efforts. Please rest assured that BAC has not given any faculty member’s home address or classroom location to any union.

How do union elections work?

Union representation elections are held by secret-ballot. If a majority of those who vote choose union representation, all eligible voters would be exclusively represented by the union in their dealings with BAC concerning pay, benefits, and other “terms and conditions of employment.” This means that BAC could not make individual arrangements with those faculty members with respect to the economic aspects of their teaching and research, but instead would have to negotiate with the union about this.

If a union election were held, could faculty members “opt out” of the union by voting against it or by not voting?

No. The results of any election would bind everyone in the bargaining unit, including faculty members who vote “no,” faculty members who do not vote, and future faculty members who do not have a chance to vote.

For example, consider an election mandated because 67 employees out of a group of 200 signed authorization cards. If only 50 employees turned out to vote, and 30 voted in favor of union representation and 20 against, then 15% of the group would have bound the 170 others to exclusive union representation regardless of their desires.

What happens if a union wins an election?

The union would become the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit, including those individuals who voted against union representation or did not vote. The union would have the exclusive legal right to negotiate collective terms and conditions of employment, such as pay and benefits, for the entire group. Because the union represents everyone in the bargaining unit, whether they want to be represented or not, individual faculty members may be bound by a decision with which they do not necessarily agree.