Know Your Rights
Joining a union, or even considering joining a union, has consequences you may not be aware of. We'll help you understand your rights and our requirements under the law during an organizing campaign.
A union authorization form is a legally binding document. If you sign one, you’re authorizing a union to speak for you. Make sure you know what you’re being asked to sign and why. You have a legal right to refuse to sign anything the union gives you.
What you need to know
- You are not required to speak with union organizers
- You, and only you, can decide whether to sign, or not sign, a union card
- You cannot be threatened or pressured into signing a card
- You should only consider signing a card if you actually support the union or want to form one
- You can change your mind after signing a card and can ask the union to give it back
Here’s some important information they’re likely not sharing with you that
you need to know….
PROTECT YOUR SIGNATURE
Did you know…?
- A union authorization card (or A-card) is a legal and binding document and is presumptively valid for one (1) year from the date you sign it
- An A-card authorizes the union to represent you
- Once you sign a card it becomes the property of the union
- Union organizers may say that signing a card will just get you
more information or the opportunity for an election
- But if it has language authorizing the union to represent you in collective bargaining, signing it gives the union the right to speak and bargain for you regarding your wages, hours, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment
- Cards can be in paper or electronic form
- Typing your name on an electronic card or form can have the same legal effect as signing it on a physical card
- You have the right to refuse to sign a card
- Threats or coercion from anyone attempting to get cards signed are unlawful
Again….
Union organizers may call, send U.S. mail, email or text you or visit you at home. If the union contacts you, you may treat it as any other salesperson and say no if you are not interested. It is your decision whether you decide to speak with them or respond to them.
The union will receive your personal information
Soon, we will be legally obligated to hand over your private information to the union. This includes the following information we have on file for these individuals:
- Name
- Home address
- Home phone
- Cell number
- Personal email address
RTX is committed to the highest standards of private data protection. We do not hand out personal information like this, especially to outsiders, except under exceptional circumstances as required by law. Because of the current union election petition, the NLRB has required us to send this private information to the union.
We have no control over what the union does with the information. A union organizer may call, or even visit, our employees at their homes. If the union contacts you, it is your decision whether you decide to speak with them.
Even if you choose not to vote for the union, the union will have your information for its own use, which we cannot control or limit. Unfortunately, this is a consequence of the process. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but know that we had no choice but to provide it based on the union’s organizing attempt.
Fort Worth Team,
Attached is the updated Notice of Election issued by the National Labor Relations Board regarding the upcoming secret ballot election. The time and place of the election is as follows:
Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Place: Lightening Conference Room
In the interim, we encourage you to continue to educate yourselves regarding the UAW and unionization, particularly how it could affect many aspects of your daily professional life, including your roles and responsibilities. We are here to answer any questions you might have and are committed to providing you with any information about the election process.
Please remember that the election outcome is determined by the employees who vote in the election. There is no process for absentee ballots. I encourage you all to participate – if you don’t vote, you will not have a voice in your future.
If you have questions, please contact your leadership or HR team, Jessica Trimble, or Stephanie Davenport.
Thank you for the part you play and the pride you take at Collins.
Michael Doerter
Director, Landing Gear Fort Worth
Landing Systems