Your
Guide to the Election Process
| Showing Interest | #1 | The National Labor Relations (NLRB) requires that a minimum of 30 percent of the employees sign authorization cards/petitions before it will conduct an election. |
| Election Petition Filed | #2 | Local No. 1473 presents the cards/petitions to the NLRB with a request that it conduct an election. The employer never sees the authorization cards/petitions, and the NLRB won't even tell how many employees filled them out. |
| Election Date Set | #3 | The Union, an employer representative, and the NLRB meet to set an election date. |
| NLRB
Election (Secret Ballot) |
#4 | You decide by a secret ballot if you want UFCW Local No. 1473 to begin negotiations with your employer. A "Yes" vote gives you the chance to proceed. |
| Preparation for Negotiations | #5 | During the seven to ten days it takes for the NLRB
to certify the election results, you and your fellow employees will
meet to decide what specific benefits you would like to have in a
first contract. Also, you will start thinking about electing a negotiating
committee. Please return your contract questionnaire. |
| Negotiations | #6 | The employees' negotiating committee, UFCW representatives, and the employer begin a series of meetings to work out differences and develop a contract offer. |
| Ratification | #7 | Your will meet to discuss and vote (by secret ballot) on the employer's offer. If rejected, we go back into negotiations. If accepted, wage rates and all new benefits begin. |
| Join the Union | #8 | Finally, only after a contract is signed and you are already receiving better wages and benefits, we will ask you to join the Union. Remember, there is strength in numbers! |
For: Questions, Comments or Assistance?
Contact: UFCW Local 1473 at 1-800-472-1660
