If a large majority of co-workers show support by signing cards (or a petition), a request can be made to the National Labor Relations Board to conduct a secret ballot election. Alongside wages and benefits, our members have negotiated contract language around diversity and inclusion, paid days off after a traumatic event at work, consistent, accessible training, subsidized transportation or parking, and more

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), or Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) for public employees, enforce employees’ legal right to form a union and protects them from retaliation. You also have the right to talk about the union at work when other non-work related talk is allowed or during non-work times such as breaks, meal times, or before or after work. It is against the law for your employer to ask you about your union activity or to threaten, harass, fire, discipline or discriminate against you because of union activity. When workers organize with OPEIU they can depend on support and back up if needed.

Most employers, even good ones, feel threatened when they find out employees want to share some power. Most will try to convince you not to form a union by using a variety of tactics designed to create doubt. However, we know that workplaces are actually stronger and more effective with a union. When staff are given respect at work, a living wage, and a seat at the table when decisions are made impacting the communities they serve, they’re able to focus their energy on their work and are less likely to leave for other opportunities.

No one pays any dues until after your first contract is negotiated, voted on and approved by you and your coworkers. You get to see the results before paying any dues. The members decide the dues structure. Since 1994, the member-voted dues rate has been 1.5% of gross monthly salary – an easy way to figure this if $7.50 for every $500. There are no initiation fees for newly organized groups coming into the union. There are no other fees or assessments of any kind.

OPEIU Local 8 is a non-profit employee organization that operates solely from member dues. The members decide how dues are spent and the budget is approved annually at Membership Assemblies. Dues are used to: Negotiate strong contracts, defend members and enforce contract rights, organize new members to improve bargaining strength in existing workplaces and to improve standards in a particular industry, train and support union activists, push for laws to protect and expand workers’ rights on the job, keep members informed through newsletters, union publications and the website, and provide educational opportunities for union members. No dues money is spend on political candidates; Local 8 has a separate voluntary Political Action Committee members can participate in and contribute to as they wish.

Many people think that strikes happen frequently when you are in a union, and there are misconceptions about how strikes get started in the first place. Strikes are rare. OPEIU settles over 99% of its contracts without ever going on strike, and there could only be a strike where you work if the vast majority of you and your colleagues voted to do so. Although withholding labor to pressure an employer to agree to a fair contract is an important tool for union members, in non-profit organizations such as those Local 8 represents, there are often effective alternatives to striking such as engaging the community.