A union authorization card is a document signed by an employee that authorizes a union to negotiate employment terms and conditions on behalf of the employee [1]. By signing a union card, individual employees indicate their interest in participating in the election process and forming a union at their workplace [2].
Key Facts
- Purpose: A union authorization card is a document signed by an employee that authorizes a union to negotiate employment terms and conditions on behalf of the employee.
- Interest in Representation: By signing a union card, individual employees indicate their interest in participating in the election process and forming a union at their workplace.
- Threshold for Petition: Once the union representatives have collected signed authorization cards from at least 30 percent of employees, they can petition the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a secret ballot election.
- Voluntary Recognition: If a union can demonstrate through signed authorization cards that 50 percent plus one member of the potential bargaining unit is interested in a union, an election may not be required. Instead, the union can request voluntary recognition from the employer as the employees’ exclusive bargaining representative.
- Card Design: Union authorization cards can vary in format, but they are typically three-by-five-inch index cards or notecard/postcard-sized physical documents. Electronic forms are also used, especially with the convenience of email and social media [2, 3].
- Card Information: The cards usually include the employee’s name, signature, date, home address, personal email, personal phone number, job title, and department.
- Validity: Once signed, union authorization cards are generally considered valid for approximately 12 months, although there is no firm rule on when a signature expires. Employees have the right to ask for their card back and revoke their signature if they wish to do so.
Threshold for Petitioning the NLRB
Once the union representatives have collected signed authorization cards from at least 30 percent of employees, they can petition the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a secret ballot election [2].
Voluntary Recognition
If a union can demonstrate through signed authorization cards that 50 percent plus one member of the potential bargaining unit is interested in a union, an election may not be required. Instead, the union can request voluntary recognition from the employer as the employees’ exclusive bargaining representative [2].
Card Design and Information
Union authorization cards can vary in format, but they are typically three-by-five-inch index cards or notecard/postcard-sized physical documents. Electronic forms are also used, especially with the convenience of email and social media [2, 3]. The cards usually include the employee’s name, signature, date, home address, personal email, personal phone number, job title, and department [3].
Validity of Cards
Once signed, union authorization cards are generally considered valid for approximately 12 months, although there is no firm rule on when a signature expires. Employees have the right to ask for their card back and revoke their signature if they wish to do so [2].
Sources
[2] https://projectionsinc.com/unionproof/what-is-a-union-authorization-card/
[3] https://guide.unitworkers.com/union-authorization/
FAQs
What is a union authorization card?
A union authorization card is a document signed by an employee that authorizes a union to negotiate employment terms and conditions on behalf of the employee.
What is the purpose of a union authorization card?
The purpose of a union authorization card is to demonstrate employee support for a union and to initiate the process of forming a union at a workplace.
How many employees need to sign union authorization cards for a union to petition the NLRB for an election?
At least 30% of employees in the bargaining unit need to sign union authorization cards for a union to petition the NLRB for an election.
What happens if a union gets 50% plus one signed authorization cards?
If a union gets 50% plus one signed authorization cards, the employer may voluntarily recognize the union as the exclusive bargaining representative of the employees, and an election may not be necessary.
What information is typically included on a union authorization card?
A union authorization card typically includes the employee’s name, signature, date, home address, personal email, personal phone number, job title, and department.
How long are union authorization cards valid?
Union authorization cards are generally considered valid for approximately 12 months, although there is no firm rule on when a signature expires.
Can employees revoke their signature on a union authorization card?
Yes, employees have the right to ask for their card back and revoke their signature if they wish to do so.
What should employees do if they have signed a union authorization card and want to revoke their signature?
Employees who have signed a union authorization card and want to revoke their signature should send written notification to the union that they wish to rescind their union card.