IBEW

FACT SHEET

Authorization Cards - - The Facts

What is an Authorization Card? - An Authorization card is a card signed by an employee signifying his or her desire in forming a Union at their place of employment. The card states that the employee "authorizes a Local Union of the IBEW to represent them in collective bargaining". This means that the employee has indicated his or her desire to be represented by the Union.

Why is an authorization card necessary? - The National Labor Relations Act, the federal labor law that defines employees' rights to form a Union, requires that a majority of employees sign cards to prove they want a Union before the Union can ask for recognition from the Employer.

How does the Authorization Card work? -

1. Employees sign IBEW Authorization cards.
2. When a majority of cards have been secured, the IBEW will ask the Employer to recognize your Union.
3. If the Employer should refuse such recognition, the card may be then taken to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) where the IBEW will file a petition for a Union election.
4. The NLRB then sets a date when you vote -- by secret ballot-- to be represented by the IBEW.
5. The board then issues a certification - and soon thereafter, contract negotiations with the Employer for the changes the employees through their union want to make.

What else will the card be used for? - Nothing else. The only reason for the card is to determine sufficient interest from the employees in seeking collective bargaining with the employer. The IBEW's policy is that employees should vote, in an NLRB conducted secret ballot NLRB election, whether they want IBEW representation. Once employees determine that they want union representation, the cards are forwarded to the NLRB to support the employee's petition.

Will my employer see the card? - As long as the IBEW has possession of the cards, the employer will not see the cards. Once the cards are in the hands of the NLRB, however, we cannot guarantee what happens.

 If I don't believe in forming a Union, should I sign a card? - The IBEW doesn't want anyone to sign a card unless they want to form a Union. The decision to sign a card is the employee's choice, and the employee's choice alone. No one should or will be forced to sign a card.

Can signing a card force a union on the employer? - No. By NLRB rules, once the employees decide to seek recognition of their union, the Union must "demand" (legally request) recognition by the employer before the NLRB will intervene on the employees behalf. (Why should the government expend taxpayer's dollars to conduct an election if the employer will voluntarily recognize the employees wishes to form a union?) The employer can, and usually does,  refuse such voluntary recognition. The NLRB petition clearly asks if the Union has asked the employer to voluntarily recognize the Union. The NLRB rules and procedures are designed to uphold employee free choice in forming a Union. If a majority of employees are opposed to forming a union, no union will be formed, according to the NLRB.

The Company says I cannot get my card back once I give it to the Union. Is this true? - The IBEW's policy is that any employee who wants to get their authorization card back prior to the NLRB petition being filed can get their card back without question. Once the cards are submitted to the NLRB with the Petition, the NLRB has possession of the cards. The IBEW then has no control over the cards.

Signing an IBEW Authorization card is the first step to a brighter future!

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