What is the difference between the union formation process for RAs compared to that for other groups of state employees?
Normally, a union wishing to represent state workers must by law collect authorization cards from at least 30 percent of workers before the union can request that WERC conduct a secret ballot election in which workers vote on whether they wish to be represented by the union. In the RA case, the Wisconsin Legislature decided that a union could become the collective bargaining representative if a majority of RAs sign an authorization card indicating they wish to be represented by the union filing the cards.
