How to Join

AT WORK FOR

you

4 Simple steps

To a better workplace

Things don’t improve until you and your co-workers get involved on the job. Here is an outline of the basic steps in an organizing campaign.

Your right to freely choose to have a union in your workplace is guaranteed by the BC Labour Relations code.

Contact an Organizer

Discuss the Issues

The Vote

Negotiate a Contract!

STEP 1

CONTACT A UFCW 247 ORGANIZER*

The first step in improving your workplace is to contact a union organizer. An organizer will talk to you about the problems in your workplace and explain how a union contract can help solve these problems.

All contact with UFCW Local 247 is strictly confidential*

STEP 2

DISCUSS THE ISSUES

Discuss the issues with your co-workers and get union cards signed. A union is made up of you and your fellow workers. It is up to you and your co workers to decide if you want a union in your workplace. The union is there to offer assistance, support, training and other resources during the unionization campaign. We offer you the benefits and protections of a union contract enjoyed by thousands of other workers in BC if you want them.

STEP 3

THE VOTE

If a minimum of 55% of the workers in your workplace sign union cards, the workplace is unionized, no vote is required. However, if between 45% and 55% of employees sign the cards, a secret ballot vote must be held by the BC Labour Relations Board to have the union recognized in your workplace. To win the vote, a majority of the eligible workers in your workplace must vote in favour of joining the union.

STEP 4

NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT!

The contract will include solutions to the issues you and your co workers raised during the campaign and will be unique to your workplace or company. The contract is negotiated by workers from your workplace and your union representative. It forms a legally binding contract that the employer must follow. The union has full time representatives that ensure the contract is followed.