The Right to Organize

You have the right to organize. Everyone does. Under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act of 1947, all workers have "the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations." Furthermore, in Section 8 the same act states that employers are not allowed to "interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7."

You have the right to be public with your organizing activity. Talking to co-workers about union activity is a fundamental right under the National Labor Relations Act's Section 8. And the Supreme Court has stated: "No restrictions may be placed on the employees' right to discuss self-organization among themselves, unless the employer can demonstrate that such a restriction is necessary to maintain production or discipline." In other words, the only exception is that you are not legally protected if you distribute union information or attempt to sign up co-workers during work time.

During any nonwork hours, your right to organize is protected by law. You have the right to talk to co-workers about the union, give them union literature and sign them up during breaks or lunch or after work. You have the right to attend meetings about a union and to wear union T-shirts or buttons.

Your e-mail is protected too. As a guideline, if it's okay to discuss other personal business using company e-mail, then it's okay to discuss WashTech. If your company has an e-mail policy in place stating that e-mail can only be used for company business, it cannot selectively enforce this policy when labor issues are discussed. A company must uniformly enforce its policies.

You have the right not to expect reprisals for union activity. The law prevents employers or their representatives from threatening to fire workers because of a union campaign. Employers may not legally ask if you have joined a union. And they may not legally interrogate you about other employees' union activity.

If your right to organize is violated, WashTech will help. If you believe your employer is violating your right to organize, please contact WashTech so we can investigate. If we believe management has violated the law, we can file an "unfair labor practice" charge at the National Labor Relations Board. Protecting your rights is what WashTech is all about.