Start by getting a list of all your coworkers. Work through the list to identify people who you think would be open to the idea.
Begin agitating around some bullshit the company pulled, and have one-on-one conversations to try and recruit influential people to your organizing committee. Your OC should meet regularly, like twice a month or once a week, to discuss issues, challenges, who you talked to, and more.
As your union grows, it’s time to start taking action. Publicly agitate at work by marching on the boss, disrupting the floor, writing petitions to management, or any other action to confront the boss and engage your coworkers. Don’t forget to keep having conversations either! Actions build strong support, but you don’t win if your OC isn’t connecting with people individually.
Once you have at least 65% coworkers supporting you, then its time to get recognition by the government to earn your right of collective bargaining. Details about this vary by region, but in the US this typically involves everyone signing a Union Authorization Card. This part of the campaign is where you’re most likely to get the anti-union campaign from the boss, so be prepared to shut it down. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to consider connecting with a larger union to amplify your voice as a worker in national politics.
Time to bargain! Elect a bargaining committee, write a vision statement, select union stewards, build a mobilizing committee, and fight for better conditions!
How do I start a union at my hospital?
Start by getting a list of all your coworkers. Work through the list to identify people who you think would be open to the idea.
Begin agitating around some bullshit the company pulled, and have one-on-one conversations to try and recruit influential people to your organizing committee. Your OC should meet regularly, like twice a month or once a week, to discuss issues, challenges, who you talked to, and more.
As your union grows, it’s time to start taking action. Publicly agitate at work by marching on the boss, disrupting the floor, writing petitions to management, or any other action to confront the boss and engage your coworkers. Don’t forget to keep having conversations either! Actions build strong support, but you don’t win if your OC isn’t connecting with people individually.
Once you have at least 65% coworkers supporting you, then its time to get recognition by the government to earn your right of collective bargaining. Details about this vary by region, but in the US this typically involves everyone signing a Union Authorization Card. This part of the campaign is where you’re most likely to get the anti-union campaign from the boss, so be prepared to shut it down. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to consider connecting with a larger union to amplify your voice as a worker in national politics.
Time to bargain! Elect a bargaining committee, write a vision statement, select union stewards, build a mobilizing committee, and fight for better conditions!
Not be in the US?