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.

If a petition is initiated, the union will receive your personal information

During a petition, 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

Pratt & Whitney 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. In the case of a union election petition, the NLRB requires 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.