What are my rights as a worker?

You have the legal right to:

  • Form, join, and support a union

  • Attend meetings during non-work time to discuss joining a union

  • Talk about the union whenever and wherever other non-work talk is allowed

  • Read and distribute union literature in non-work areas during non-work times, such as breaks, lunch hours, or before or after work

  • Sign a card or petition to show union support

  • Ask other employees to support the union

  • Ask other employees to sign cards or petitions requesting that your employer recognize and bargain with your union

It is illegal for your employer to:

  • Threaten to or actually fire, lay off, discipline, harass, transfer, or reassign employees because of union support

  • Favor employees who don’t support the union in job assignments, wages, hours, enforcement of rules, promotions, or any other working condition

  • Shut down the work site or take away benefits or privileges employees already enjoy in order to discourage union activity

  • Promise employees a pay increase, promotion, benefit, or special favor if they oppose the union

  • Ask employees any questions about their union activity, including if they support the union

  • Refuse to deal with the union once employees vote to be represented

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) gives employees the legal right to form a union.

If your employer breaks the law, the union can help you file an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB has the power to enforce the law and order an employer to stop interfering with employees’ rights, to provide back pay, and to reverse any action taken against workers when they try to form a union.

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