Questions and Answers about forming a union

What is an NLRB Election? When the majority of a group of workers demonstrates an interest (through signed cards or petitions) in forming a union at their worksite, SEIU Local 49 presents the cards to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and requests an Election. A NLRB Agent (a neutral government employee) then works with Kaiser Permanente and SEIU Local 49 to set a date and time for a secret ballot election.

Who conducts the election?The secret ballot election is conducted by an agent of the NLRB, usually at the affected employees’ worksite. At the end of the election, the Agent counts the votes and reports the tally of votes to both parties. If a majority of the employees who voted in the election voted “yes” to form a union with SEIU Local 49, the NLRB Regional Director will certify SEIU Local 49 as the collective bargaining representative of the group of employees.

What does signing a card mean?Signing a card shows your support for forming a union with SEIU Local 49. The language on the card reads, “I believe that by working together, we can make life better for our patients, our community, and our own families. I therefore authorize Service Employees International Union [SEIU] Local 49 to represent me in bargaining with my employer.” When a majority of eligible employees sign cards, SEIU Local 49 will take them to the NLRB and petition for an election.

How does bargaining work?Bargaining begins only after a majority of employees vote “yes” to form a union with SEIU Local 49 in an NLRB election, and after the NLRB has certified SEIU Local 49 as the collective bargaining representative for the employees. The union cannot negotiate anything for a group of employees unless and until it has been certified as their representative.

The SEIU Local 49 bargaining process:1. Elect a bargaining team with representatives from different job classifications.
2. Meet as a group to discuss everyone’s interests and priorities.
3. Begin bargaining. Your elected bargaining team will negotiate over your terms and conditions of employment. When employees want to negotiate for the same standards that other SEIU Local 49 members have, we will propose and bargain for those terms. However, those standards do not apply automatically as a result of joining our union; we must negotiate an agreement including them.
4. Have regular meetings and updates on bargaining.
5. Reach tentative agreements on proposals.
6. Bring the final set of agreements to the entire affected employee group for a vote. A majority of affected employees must vote to ratify the agreement before anything in the new contract takes effect.

How do I withdraw my card?To withdraw your card, send a request in writing to SEIU Local 49, and we will return your card.

For more information, contact Michelle Blau at 503.236.4949, ext. 235.