Can you organize for a union in a rght to work state? and are there any unions for

[7wo7rees]

Call center employees?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Nobel_Twaddle_III]

1. unionize yes, but if you are successfully you will not be allowed a closed shop.

union members will pay the cost for free loaders, who are allowed to not pay.

[FreakinDJ]

5. Existing employees can not be forced to join - but you do not have to new hire "Non-Union"

[dsc]

9. at least in NC that is not true

You do indeed have to hire non union plus they can just simply quit after being hired anyhow even if there were such a rule.

[W_HAMILTON]

13. Is it possible...

...for such a union to only negotiate on behalf of the workers in the union rather than negotiate on behalf of the workers as a whole, which would include those "free loaders" that you mention?

[Nobel_Twaddle_III]

17. no because the workers are treated as a whole, they are defined by federal law

at the time of the filing, you need to have a definition of who is covered/included in the workforce to be unionized. This defines who can vote and is covered by the contract. also you can not have pay differenced between who is a paying member and who is not.

[former9thward]

2. You can organize unions in any state.

RTW simply means a union can not force a person to pay union dues. However they can pay voluntarily. There are no unions specifically for call center employees but they can organize with any union who wishes to have them.

[Callmecrazy]

4. CWA: Communication Workers of America

[TexasProgresive]

3. Yes, Texas has been a "right to work" for less state forever

and we have unions.

Yes, call centers can be unionized.

Call center and telecommunications workers make up a huge number of brothers and sisters in our union, and protecting their jobs from outsourcing and offshoring has been one of CWA’s top concerns throughout the 111th Congress.

Read more at: http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/call_centers

[7wo7rees]

6. more please.

I could use any advice you could give in the next few hours.
Thank you. In advance.

[Brickbat]

7. What advice are you looking for?

Here's some good advice.

http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/how_to_organize_a_union

You can't organize a union in a few hours. It takes a long time and lot of hard work. What specific issue are you facing?

[7wo7rees]

8. understood. thank you.

The people I work with do not know they have any rights at all.

[7wo7rees]

10. how can i help.the people i work with understand they have rights?

This is a global company. In control of everything to be measured. Communication wise.

[TexasProgresive]

11. Sorry to no reply sooner

You will need to meet with co-workers off site. There will be danger as companies will have spies and informers. I have never been involved in the initial organizing of a union. It could be quite exciting. You might contact several unions to get guidance. they may also send some experienced union organizers to help get things started.
Here's some steps you can take from the Service Employees International Union.

Talk with an SEIU organizer about how and why workers decide to join together in a union.

Plan how to empower and involve a majority of your co-workers in a campaign to form a union where you work.

Legally organize your union and start negotiations with your employer for a contract agreement that spells out your pay, your benefits and gives workers a stronger voice to solve problems at work.
http://action.seiu.org/page/content/JoinUs/

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The Utility Workers Union of America represents call Center/Customer service representatives throughout the United States. Call Center/Customer Service is a multifaceted job that requires our members to have the knowledge, skills and abilities to solve and resolve their customer’s problems while performing efficiently on the job. This industry sector page will provide our members with the latest information, resources and training opportunities to enhance their ability to perform their jobs more effectively within the new global marketplace.
http://uwua.net/industries/call-center

You have the legal right under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act to join or support a union and to:

* Attend meetings to discuss joining a union.
* Read, distribute, and discuss union literature (as long as you do this in non-work areas during non-work times, such as during breaks or lunch hours.)
* Wear union buttons, T-shirts, stickers, hats, or other items on the job.
* Sign a card asking your employer to recognize and bargain with the union.
* Sign petitions or file grievances related to wages, hours, working conditions, and other job issues.
* Ask other employees to support the union, to sign union cards or petitions, or to file grievances.
http://uwua.net/organizing/you-have-the-right-to-join-a-union.html

[Omaha Steve]

12. Printable posters of your rights

ALL the info is right here: http://www.nlrb.gov/

http://www.nlrb.gov/poster

There are two different posters in 29 languages at the link above.

http://www.nlrb.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/basic-page/node-3788/employee_rights_fnl.pdf

[7wo7rees]

14. Thank you all for the advice. DU'ers are the best. n/t

Again, thank you.

I know it is a challenge and not anything that can happen quickly.

Workers of the World, Unite.

[JVS]

15. Yes, but it's more difficult.

And I don't know about that second one.

[Starry Messenger]

16. Like TexasProgressive said, meet off site.

Form an ad-hoc internal organizing committee. Start small, with people who are interested in improving work conditions. Identify the winnable issues that most people agree your workplace needs. You should start with modest goals, even something as simple as a bathroom break.

When you have a core group of people who are doing work like this, you can gauge interest in further work.

Check out this link for more: http://www.fixmyjob.com

[7wo7rees]

18. Can I quit so I can organize?

Un-impeded, so to say?