Question

Describe two key signs that managers should watch for as indications of a possible union organizing campaign.

Answer 1

2 KEY SIGNS THAT MANAGER SHOULD WATCH FOR INDICATORS OF UNION ORGANIZING CAMPAIGN

1) Obvious signs

A manager has to make sure that obvious should not be treated as inconsequential. For example an employee of an organisation may show up by wearing an union t-shirt or you may find an authorization card in the employee break room. However, union organizers generally and often tell the employees to avoid something that may attract the management's attention, so you are unlikely to see overt signs as such especially early in a campaign. Therefore it is more important to learn to recognize and identify more subtle indicators.

2) Turnover rate change

A change in the rates of employee turnover can be a subtle indication of the organization. This may sound strange on the surface but unions will have an impact on the perspectives of the employees. If the rate of turnover goes up when there has been no changes in the policies of the company, wages or other benefits, then union might be making promises which is concerned with the better working conditions. The reality is that the union campaigns succeed by encouraging the dissatisfaction of the employees and making your team members to believe that they are not being treated well.

Union membership also has costs such as social and economic costs. Members must pay various kinds of dues, develop adversarial relationship with the employer and to operate within the rigid work environment. Some of the employees rather than to deal with the union will leave. So rates turnover may rise.