We’ve received many questions about misinformation union organizers are sending employees — hopefully unintentionally. The questions are about whom the union is trying to represent, whether or not there will actually be an election, whether or not you have to sign an authorization or union card to be eligible to vote and what an election process is like.
The first step in trying to unionize staff is to collect signed cards from at least 30 percent of the employees the union wishes to represent. Initially the union stated that this would be all OS and PAT employees. Now the union is saying athletics, food services, the print shop and human resources will not be included. Typically, unions do not seek to represent employees in areas where the employees have demonstrated disinterest and do seek to represent areas where at least a minority of employees has signed cards. There is no way to know what groups within OS and PAT staff the union is focusing on until they actually take the next step: petitioning the NH Public Employer Labor Relations Board for certification.
The filing of a Petition for Certification, supported by signed cards, has not yet happened. The union has stated publically that this will happen by November 30. In the petition, the union identifies the positions it wants to represent. Typically, a union lists all the positions in departments or groups of employees, such as facilities or health services.
The union will give the university a copy of the petition and we will post it for all to see. The university has an opportunity to disagree with the proposed groups, and it can take some weeks for the discussion to resolve. Once resolved, an election would be scheduled.
It is 100-percent untrue that an employee needs to sign a union card or election card to vote in an election. Employees do not need to sign a union card or election card to be eligible to vote in an election. If your position is one the union wishes to unionize — by including it in the petition — you will be eligible to vote in an election whether or not you signed a card.
Kathy Neils
Chief Human Resources Officer
Read more in Your Voice Matters, a series of communications from university leadership to provide clarity about efforts to unionize UNH staff, where you can also submit questions and feedback.
