Okay, I'm convinced.  What now?

If at this point, you feel that joining the Steelworkers is the course of action you should follow to get improvements at your workplace, the process is reasonably simple.

First, we need to get some information into the hands of your co-workers.  You can help with this.  Encourage your co-workers to check out this website.  Contact our office and we can provide you with leaflets that can be given to your co-workers or left on the lunchroom table.  Once a sufficient number of your co-workers are onboard, we can move to the next step, which is signing cards.

Be prepared - the boss will play some games as this process unfolds.  You see, the employer wants to keep all of their money for themselves.  They don't believe in sharing with you and they will try several tricks to keep you and your co-workers from joining the union and getting a bigger share of the pie.  These tricks may include things like:

• Telling lies about the union
• Sending a letter to the workers asking you to give them "one more chance"
• One-on-one meetings with employees (to intimidate you)
• Starting a "vote no" campaign
• Suggesting that the operation will close if you vote yes to the union

And many, many more dirty, underhanded tricks to keep you and your fellow workers from trying to make your workplace a better place to work.  Remember, you have a democratic right to join a union and it is illegal for the employer to interfere.

That won't stop them from trying however, so you need to realize that it will happen and you need to be prepared to deal with these things.  Your union representative will help you with this.

Other things the employer may do to try to persuade you not to join the union could include giving you a boost in pay, fixing up some of the long-standing problems at the workplace or suggesting that now that they are aware of your concerns they will be better at addressing them in the future.

If this happens, remember - if you can get that out of the boss with the mere suggestion of joining the union - just imagine what you could achieve with the help of the Steelworkers.

The employer might also be stubborn and say that they simply won't agree to make changes.  Employers often cry poverty and deny that they can afford to pay more.  When we sit down to negotiate your first agreement, we will have a very good idea of what your employer's real financial picture is.

By the time we are done negotiating your first agreement, we will have the foundation built for a good labour relationship.  When management acknowledges that they must sit down with elected union representatives and bargain in good faith it will be a great step forward for you and your fellow workers.

By participating in collective bargaining, workers can truly promote their interests and protect themselves.  Collective action is well established in society.  Millions of workers are represented by unions across North America.

Even groups like doctors and lawyers form associations to take collective action to improve their respective lots.  Employers also have long realized the power of collective action.  They frequently join associations to collectively lobby for their own interests.  If it's good enough for these people, why  not you?

Contact our office and we will explain the next steps to you and discuss what needs to be done.  Take the next step now, call 1-800-661-7038 now and get started with making your workplace better.  Also, you can request information by emailing us at join (at) steel207.ca.