Research

Before starting a campaign, learn more about what will impact you and your team's ability to successfully organize a union. For example, what do we know about:

• The employer and the industry?
• The workplace and how work and jobs are organized?
• Our community and connections with the employer and people who work there?
• People in the area and whether or not they have organized a union?
• What people think about their jobs, community and opportunities in their life?
• The process for us to win recognition for our union?
• Whether or not we are going to petition for an election?
• The opposition we may face?
• How to gain the support of other community members for our efforts?

FIGURE OUT WHO'S WHO

When it comes to the workplace and the people involved, mapping or charting is a good tool to figure out how everything and everybody fits together.

KNOW THE RULES OF THE GAME

Labor laws cover our rights to organize a union and the hoops we will have to jump through. Learn the legal stuff.

RESOURCES

Before You Start a Campaign, Questions to Ask (Spanish version)
Who Cares? Stakeholders in Organizations (Spanish version)
Basics About Bargaining Units  (Spanish version)