Can you be fired for supporting unions?

knucklehead G · #1 03-09-2011, 03:20 PM

Every year once it warms up, my employer gets union reps standing outside the gates handing out papers on why we should support them. I've been told since my initial training class years ago that you do not talk to these people, and if you accept a flier - they watch them on the cameras - you must immediately hand it over on entry to the building or face "disciplinary actions."

I'd never talked to them, because I am interested in job security. However, I and many others that work with me are not liking the direction the company is going right now, and awesome timing made an advertisement for the union pop up on my Facebook page, probably since I have my employer listed.

The entire reason all of us put up with the way we're currently treated is because good jobs are scarce right now, and the management has us all pinned down with fear tactics - each employee has a half hour meeting with their immediate supervisors two to four times per month where they go over all of the improvements you need to make if you want to keep the job. I've overheard one manager giving almost this same speech verbatim to three different employees in a day.

What my question is, I guess, can they legally take action against us for supporting the union? I assume even if they can't, they'd add us to the list and find other things to try and push us out for.. I've only got about six weeks left with the company, and I'd like to do some good, but I cannot afford to be off work for that amount of time.

My first instinct is to go all V for Vendetta FOR THE PEOPLE and try to get something organized, but what do you guys think I should do here? Many of my co-workers are in the same boat and have no idea what is going on with the unionization movement, since they've just accepted it as law that they cannot talk to the representatives.

Pro- or anti-rebellion, I need your feedback.

Chebass88 · #2 03-09-2011, 03:26 PM

Whether or not 'good jobs' are available, you are not conscripted to working there. You are not chained to your desk. If conditions are bad enough, leave. If your employer does not want you talking with the union - that is their right. You can always leave. Or put up with it. You only have about 6 weeks left, as you mention it, so why start anything funky?

The choice is yours.

Selta · #3 03-09-2011, 03:27 PM

Are you At-Will employed?

aborgman · #4 03-09-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chebass88

If your employer does not want you talking with the union - that is their right.

No, it isn't.

Quote:

They might use threats, intimidation, or retaliation to make workers afraid of losing their jobs if they support the union. These measures, however, are illegal.

Quote:

What is considered an "unfair labor practice?"

In Section 8 of the NLRA, there are a number of illegal activities that are considered "unfair labor practices," or ULPs. ULPs are illegal whether they are engaged in by employers or by unions.

Examples of Employer Conduct Which Violate the NLRA Are:

Threatening employees with loss of jobs or benefits if they join or vote for a union or engage in protected concerted activity.

Quote:

23. What are the remedies available to me?

Reinstatement, back pay and interest are the typical remedies awarded by the NLRB in retaliation cases. Section 10(c) of the NLRA

UncleFluffy · #5 03-09-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knucklehead G

Every year once it warms up, my employer gets union reps standing outside the gates handing out papers on why we should support them. I've been told since my initial training class years ago that you do not talk to these people, and if you accept a flier - they watch them on the cameras - you must immediately hand it over on entry to the building or face "disciplinary actions."

Was your employer crazy enough to tell you this in writing?

MatticusMania · #6 03-09-2011, 03:42 PM

LAWSUIT!

jonathan_matos5 · #7 03-09-2011, 03:46 PM

i have seen a group of people at a previous job let go for "conspiring against the company" when they talked to a unions attorney. the group was considering joining the union when the company in question had no previous union members employed there.

hdracer · #8 03-09-2011, 03:47 PM

Kansas is a Right to Work State.
Employees do not have to join a union and a employer does not have to let union people around his business.
I am not sure about Kansas but in some states a employer can fire anyone speaking to a union rep under "conspiring against the company" rules

guy n. cognito · #9 03-09-2011, 03:47 PM

Join the union.....they are much better at scare tactics and threats than the average employer.

aborgman · #10 03-09-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

Kansas is a Right to Work State.
Employees do not have to join a union and a employer does not have to let union people around his business.
I am not sure about Kansas but in some states a employer can fire anyone speaking to a union rep under "conspiring against the company" rules

An employer might have told you that, but it ain't true.

Geddyfleaharris · #11 03-09-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

Join the union.....they are much better at scare tactics and threats than the average employer.

+1

I can see this thread going off the rails in a hurry. Politically charged issue with strong feelings on all sides - union, employee, employer.

NickMarinelli · #12 03-09-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

Kansas is a Right to Work State.
Employees do not have to join a union and a employer does not have to let union people around his business.
I am not sure about Kansas but in some states a employer can fire anyone speaking to a union rep under "conspiring against the company" rules

^this^

Believe me, the very last thing you want is for the union to come into your shop. Unless, of course, mandatory payment of union dues, which are then sent to political campaigns you may disagree with, is your thing.

hdracer · #13 03-09-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aborgman

An employer might have told you that, but it ain't true.

I AM a employer! I know the rules.
The unions may run your state but not all of them.

warwick.hoy · #14 03-09-2011, 04:06 PM

I thought Kansas City was in Missouri.

basstotheface · #15 03-09-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I thought Kansas City was in Missouri.

And Kansas.

hdracer · #16 03-09-2011, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I thought Kansas City was in Missouri.

one in both, if it is Mo. then it isn't a right to work.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #17 03-09-2011, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I thought Kansas City was in Missouri.

The bigger Kansas City is in Missouri. The smaller one, ironically, is in Kansas.

duff beer · #18 03-09-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickMarinelli

^this^

Believe me, the very last thing you want is for the union to come into your shop. Unless, of course, mandatory payment of union dues, which are then sent to political campaigns you may disagree with, is your thing.

And the other side of the issue is that you don't want all the unions to go away, because as soon as that happens workers rights will disappear faster than you could possibly imagine.

It's kind of like the vaccine mentality...some people think they are not needed because they have never seen someone with polio or smallpox.

warwick.hoy · #19 03-09-2011, 04:12 PM

Well the OP is certainly vague as to his whereabouts

superbassman2000 · #20 03-09-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duff beer

It's kind of like the vaccine mentality...some people think they are not needed because they have never seen someone with polio or smallpox.

people think they don't need unions because they haven't seen someone with polio?