How democratic are unions?
Unions are among the most democratic institutions in our country. You decide if you want to sign a representation card indicating your interest in the union. You may decide to vote yes or no for union representation in a government-supervised election process or sign a card for your employer to count. If the union is voted in, you decide what you and your colleagues decide propose in your bargaining. You decide which of your co-workers will be on the negotiating team. You vote to ratify the contractor not. You vote on who will be your workplace representative. You vote on who will be the officials of your local union.
The whole process is open and democratic. You decide if you want to sign an authorization card. You decide whether to vote “yes” on joining the union. You decide which co-workers you want on your negotiating team. You decide what to tell your negotiators you want in a contract. You vote on the contract once it’s negotiated. You vote on who will be your shop steward. You vote on who will be the officers of your local.
