Know Your Rights

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Your Rights When Forming a Union

By law, healthcare employees have the freedom to form a union and work together to improve patient care and the quality of their jobs. It's illegal for your employer to intimidate, discriminate, or otherwise interfere in your decision.

Management cannot:
  • Threaten to fire, discharge or punish you should you engage in union activity.

  • Give employees who speak out against the union special favors or concessions, and they cannot promise employees promotions who initially support and then oppose forming a union.

  • Keep employee union representatives from talking with members during non-working hours.

  • Ask about confidential union matters, including union meetings, union representatives or the union itself.

  • Ask you whether or not you belong to a union or actively support forming a union.

  • Change your work assignments, your work environment, or working conditions with the intention of firing you based on your support for unionization.

  • Threaten or coerce you in an attempt to influence your union support.

  • Make threats regarding the discontinuation of benefits, wages, vacations, or job security should you and your fellow employees form a union.

Download a leaflet with your rights to share with your co-workers: Know Your Rights leaflet Know Your Rights