What is a Union?

A Union is a group of workers that are seeking to better their lives by:

Unity

Workers standing together in solidarity and collectively and for a common cause. In a concerted movement to better their lives and the lives of their families.

Demands

Together deciding what is best for them. What needs and wants will better their lives. Deciding together on wages , working conditions and what benefits work best for them.

Negotiation

A highly trained union negotiator along with the assistance of the unions legal team and with employees at your location will meet with your employer and negotiate a collective bargaining agreement.

Respect

Respect when you choose FCGOA your employer will give you the respect and dignity you deserve , it will be given because we demand nothing less.

How to form a union

When workers decide they have had enough of empty promises from the boss and want to come together, they contact FCGOA to educate, mobilize and empower them to organize. Once a majority of workers show they want a union, FCGOA will launch an organizing campaign. An organizing campaign will provide you with a professionally trained union representative to provide you the information and tools you will need to unionize.

It is your right, under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), to join, form, or assist a union of your choice. These rights guarantee that you can do this without the threat of retaliation from your employer or from the Union (even the existing union). The law requires that a percentage of employees show support for the Union.

The amount of support shown will take us down one of three paths:

Path 01

Only a few employees want to better the working conditions, wages, and benefits. This path would end our relationship and you will continue to have the status quo – the Boss wins.

Path 02

The majority of employees show written support for the Union, and the Company agrees to recognize the Union as the bargaining agent and then we could negotiate a collective bargaining agreement

Path 03

The majority of employees show written support for the Union, but the Company refuses to recognize the Union. We would then request for the National Labor Relations Board to hold a secret ballot election so that you and your fellow colleagues can vote to be represented by FCGOA.

Know Your Rights

Under Federal Law, it is illegal for an employer to "question you about your union support or activities in a way that discourages you from engaging in that activity." (US Dept. of Labor)

Just say "No Thank You, I do not wish to discuss my opinion about unionization," if approved by Management or their representative.

Your Rights Guaranteed by Law under the National Labor Relations Act

It is your right, under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)

Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, and shall also have the right to refrain from any or all of such activities except to the extent that such right may be affected by an agreement requiring membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment as authorized in section 8(a)(3) [section 158(a)(3) of this title].
What Are Your Rights?

It is unlawful for your employer or supervisor to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees seeking to organize or join a union.

What employers and supervisors can NOT do:

1

They cannot tell employees that the Employer will fire or punish them if they engage in union activity.
2

They cannot lay off or discharge any employee for union activity
3

They cannot grant employees wage increases or special concessions in order to keep the union out.
4

They cannot restrict union representatives from talking with members during non-working hours.
5

They cannot ask employees about confidential union matters, meetings, etc.
6

They cannot ask employees about the union or about union representatives.
7

They cannot ask employees how they intend to vote.
8

They cannot ask employees whether or not they belong to a union or have signed up for a union.
9

They cannot create conditions intended to get rid of an employee because of his or her union activity.
10

They cannot threaten workers or coerce them in an attempt to influence their vote.
11

They cannot tell employees that existing benefits will be discontinued if the employees unionized.
12

They cannot say unionization will force the employer to lay off workers.
13

They cannot say unionization will take away vacations or other benefits and privileges presently in effect.
If the employer does any of these things it is a violation of the Law and the Union will protect your rights by filing charges against them.
Support is measured by how many employees sign and return an official union authorization (pledge) card. These authorization cards are confidential; your employer will never see who signed these cards. You can either: (1) FILL OUT THE AUTHORIZATION CARD below, or (2) contact us to get as many cards as you need for your unit – CONTACT THE UNION
NOTE: Any information you provide will be keep strictly confidential

Organizing Department 212-541-3753 memberservices@fcgoa.com