Union Organizing 101

Why Unionize?

Unions shift bargaining power from owners to workers. In Canada:

• Union wage premium: +$5.40/hour average (StatsCan 2024)
• Benefits: 85% have pensions vs. 35% non-union
• Job security: Collective agreements prevent arbitrary firing
• Democracy: Workers vote on contracts, elect leaders

The Reset Connection: Unions are Phase 1 infrastructure. A 10% unionization increase redirects $50 billion from profits to wages (OECD model), starving speculative bubbles and funding co-op transitions.

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Legal Rights (Canada)

Federal Jurisdiction (10% of workers)

• Industries: Banking, telecoms, federal public service, interprovincial transport
• Card-Check: Sign 40% of workers → Labour Board orders vote; 50%+1 wins
• Protected Activities: Organizing, discussing unions, distributing materials (on breaks/off-site)

Provincial Jurisdiction (90% of workers)

Varies by province:

Your Rights:

• Discuss unions during breaks/lunch
• Distribute materials outside work hours
• Protection from retaliation (firing, demotion)

Employer CAN'T:

• Threaten to close/relocate
• Spy on organizing meetings
• Fire/discipline for union activity
• Promise raises to stop organizing

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90-Day Organizing Campaign

Phase 1: Build Your Organizing Committee (Weeks 1-2)

1. Identify Leaders:

   • Look for respected, long-term employees across departments
   • Aim for 5-10% of workforce (e.g., 5-10 leaders for 100 workers)
   • Diversity matters: Different shifts, demographics, roles

2. Secret First Meeting:

   • Off-site (someone's home, café, park)
   • Discuss: Why unionize? Top 3 workplace issues?
   • Commit to confidentiality until 30% signed

3. Contact a Union:

   • Choose sector-specific unions:
     • Unifor: Auto, retail, media (unifor.org)
     • UFCW: Grocery, food service (ufcw.ca)
     • CUPE: Public sector (cupe.ca)
     • United Steelworkers: Manufacturing (usw.ca)
   • Unions provide: Legal support, training, card templates

Phase 2: Card Campaign (Weeks 3-8)

4. Map the Workplace:

   • List all employees (names, shifts, departments)
   • Mark: Supporters (green), undecided (yellow), opponents (red)
   • Focus on green/yellow first

5. One-on-One Conversations:

   • The Ask: "Would you sign a card to vote on whether we want a union?"
   • Listen: What's their top issue? (Wages, safety, respect?)
   • Connect: "A union gives us a voice to fix [their issue]. The card just gets us a vote."
   • Sign: Use union-provided cards (name, signature, date)

6. Track Progress:

   • Update your map daily
   • Hit 60% to be safe (accounts for employer pressure)

Phase 3: File for Certification (Week 9)

7. Submit Cards:

   • Union files with Labour Board (federal) or provincial agency
   • Timeline: Board orders vote within 5-10 days (or auto-certifies if >55% in BC/QC)

8. Employer Gets Notice:

   • Expect captive-audience meetings, anti-union consultants
   • Stay calm: "We just want a fair vote."

Phase 4: Win the Vote (Weeks 10-12)

9. Counter Employer Tactics:

   • "We're a family" → "Families don't fire you for being sick."
   • "Unions are outsiders" → "We ARE the union. Leaders are elected by us."
   • "You'll lose flexibility" → "Flexibility = unpaid overtime. Contracts protect us."

10. Get-Out-the-Vote:

• Remind supporters to vote (day/time/location)
• Offer rides if needed
• Vote is secret ballot—no one knows who voted how

11. Victory (50%+1):

• Union certified! Now bargain first contract (6-12 months)

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Employer Union-Busting Tactics (And How to Counter)

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Sample Organizing Script

Opening

You: "Hey [Name], got a minute? I wanted your take on something."

Problem

You: "You ever feel like [specific issue: wages, scheduling, safety]? Like, we work hard, but [Owner/Manager] makes all the calls."

Solution

You: "Some of us are talking to [Union Name] about organizing. It'd give us a real voice—we'd negotiate a contract, vote on it. If it sucks, we vote no."

The Ask

You: "Would you sign a card to get us a vote? It's confidential—just you, me, and the union. Takes 30 seconds."

Objections

• "I don't want to cause trouble."
  "I get it. But asking for fairness isn't trouble. It's legal, and we can't get fired for it."

• "What if we lose?"
  "Then we tried. But if we don't try, nothing changes. We've got 60% already."

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Success Stories

• Starbucks Canada (2020-2025): 400+ stores unionized via Workers United; won $2/hour raises, guaranteed hours.
• Amazon YYZ1 (2024): Teamsters certified after 18-month campaign; first contract included safety protocols, 15% wage increase.
• Loblaw Warehouses (2022-2024): Unifor organized 12 sites; contracts added pensions, ended forced overtime.

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After Certification: Bargaining Your First Contract

1. Elect Bargaining Committee: 3-5 workers + union rep
2. Survey Members: Top 5 priorities? (Wages, benefits, seniority, grievance process)
3. Negotiate: 6-18 months; employer must bargain "in good faith"
4. Strike Leverage: 72% of first contracts settle without strikes; if needed, vote to authorize
5. Ratify: Members vote yes/no on final contract (need 50%+1)

Typical First Contract Wins:

• Wages: 10-20% over 3 years
• Benefits: Dental, pension, paid sick days
• Job Security: "Just cause" for firing (no arbitrary termination)
• Grievance Process: Written procedure to challenge violations

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Red Flags (When to Pause)

• Under 30% Support: Wait; filing prematurely tips off employer
• High Turnover Workplace: Build stability first (hard to organize revolving door)
• Single Agitator: Need a committee, not a lone hero (targets get fired)

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FAQs

Q: Can I get fired for organizing?
A: No—it's illegal. If it happens, file unfair labour practice charge; Labour Board can order reinstatement + back pay.

Q: How long does organizing take?
A: 3-6 months for card campaign + vote; 6-12 months to bargain first contract.

Q: Do we pay dues before certification?
A: No. Dues start AFTER first contract is ratified (usually 1-2% of gross pay).

Q: What if my coworkers say no?
A: Respect it. Focus on undecided workers. Some need to see majority support before committing.

Q: Can part-timers join?
A: Yes! Part-timers are often the most exploited and benefit most from contracts.

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Next Steps

1. Start Conversations: Use the script above with 3 trusted coworkers this week
2. Contact a Union: Find your sector at CanadianLabour.ca
3. Join a Reset Chapter: Get local support at 99reset.org/chapters
4. Report Your Campaign: Track progress at 99reset.org/join

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Resources

• Canadian Labour Congress: canadianlabour.ca
• Know Your Rights (Provincial):
  • BC: labour.gov.bc.ca
  • ON: ontario.ca/labour
  • QC: cnt.gouv.qc.ca
• Union Directory: Unifor, UFCW, CUPE, USW

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Last Updated: November 2025
Difficulty: Hard (3-6 months)
Impact: Very High (permanent wage increase, co-op pipeline)

Questions? Email info@99reset.org or find mentors in your local chapter.