Workers have found that the only effective way to meet the power held by employers and supervisors is to act together. This collective action is most often expressed by joining a union.
British Columbia Labour Laws ensure every worker has the right to join a union. Your employer can’t prevent you from joining a union or make threats if you join a union.
There are many reasons why workers join unions, and it varies from individual to individual, but usually it is about fairness, respect, better pay and having a voice at work. In BC, if the majority of a company’s employees indicate they want to join a union, then they are protected by law.
The first step in joining a union is showing the labour board there is interest in having a vote at your workplace. The labour board wants some workers to show they are interested in joining before they hold a vote. This is done through union cards. These cards are confidential. Your employer sees the cards and never knows who has signed a card
In British Columbia, if over 45% of workers sign a union card, the labour board will order a secret ballot vote to be held. The vote is similar to a provincial election. No one will ever know how you voted. If a majority of workers vote yes to joining UFCW 1518 then you will have a union at your workplace.
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