UNION AUTHORIZATION CARDS

Collecting signatures on union authorization cards is the first step a union must take to organize a group of employees. The Union needs these cards signed – because, by getting signed cards from at least 30% of employees in the bargaining unit they seek, the union can file a petition with the NLRB for a union representation election.

Quick Facts on Authorization Cards

  • A signed card is a legal document that the union could turn in to the government to show employees want union representation.

  • The card authorizes the union to speak and act for you on all matters relating to pay, schedules and other conditions of employment.

  • Union authorization cards may come in many forms, such as an index card or a request for your “electronic signature” through text messages, website links or QR codes. Be careful what you “click to accept” or authorize online.

  • If you signed a union authorization card, you may still vote “YES” or “NO”!

Unions are not required by law to identify as an authorization card what they may ask you to sign or to explain to you what the card is or means. Unions can be so persistent in soliciting cards that employees may just sign a card to get the organizer to just “leave them alone.” They may even misrepresent that they are with LGBG. IAM may also misrepresent what signing the card means or suggest that by signing, the employee is supporting a specific cause. A union card is not “just to get more information,” “just to support a cause” or “just to get an election.”

IAM may sometimes use phrases like:

  • “This is just so I can send you more information.”

  • “You have to sign this in order to be able to vote in the election.”

  • “Sign this and I will get you a big raise and free healthcare.”

None of these statements are legally accurate. The bottom line on authorization cards is: If you are not sure if you want a union to represent you, do not sign a card. Whether you do or don’t sign a card, you can still vote - and you can vote YES or NO to IAM.

You do not have to sign a card to be able to vote in the NLRB election. If you do not sign, you can vote, and you can vote YES or NO to the union.

If you did sign a card, regardless of whether you knew what you were signing, you can vote in the election, and you can vote YES or NO to the union.