Organizing

Bingo

• Theobjectistofillasmanysquaresaspossiblewithasignature.• Eachparticipantcanonlysignyourcardtwice.• Youcansignyourowncardonce• Shareyourresults/storieswithallthemembers

AsktheExpert

• Onapieceofpaperwriteonethingyouhopetolearninthiscourse• Foldthepaperandhandintothefacilitator

WhatisOrganizing?

• Organizingisleadershipthatenablespeopletoturntheresourcestheyhaveintothepowertheyneedtomakethechangetheywant.• Organizingisaboutpeople,powerandchange.• Unionsorganizenonunionizedworkplacestoempowertheemployees.

5KeyComponentstoOrganizing

• Tellingstories• Communicateourvalues• Answerswhy– whywecare,whywevalueonegoaloveranother

• Buildingrelationships• Helpspeopleturntheirownresourcesintopower• Powercomesfromourcommitmenttoworktogether• The“hard”ask

• Structuringteams• sharedpurpose

• Strategize• Turningwhatyouhaveintowhatyouneed togetwhatyouwant.

• Acting• Strategyintoaction(implementtactics)

OrderofOrganizing

• Putthefollowinginorderofhoworganizingworks:

• Makecontactwithworkers• Research/probeatarget• Negotiatingcommittee• Educateworkers• Proposalmeetings• Countballots• Havevote• Meetwithemployer• Ratificationvote• Signunioncards• Holdacampaign• Makeanapplication• Negotiate

OrderofOrganizingAnswer• Research/probeatarget• Makecontactwithworkers• Educateworkers• Signunioncards• Holdacampaign• Makeanapplication• Havevote• Countballots• Proposalmeetings• Negotiatingcommittee• Meetwithemployer• Negotiate• Ratificationvote

TargetDoesn’tLikeUnions…

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8ZSNDsz5vg

HowTargetSeesUs

• Howareunionsportrayed?• Whatkindsofthingsdidthevideoignore?• Accordingtothevideo,whyhasunionmembershipdeclined?• Howiscollectivebargainingportrayedinthevideo?• Howisseniorityportrayed?• Howarestrikesportrayed?• Whydoestheactorconstantlytalkabout“bullying”and“promises?• Howwouldyourespondtoworkersworriedabout“bullying:and“promises”?

TargetSometimesRespectsUnions?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opY43QC3cz0&t=99s

BarriersWeFace

• Dividetheclassintosmallgroups• Eachgrouptoaflipchart• Recordasmanyreasonsasyoucanthinkofwhysomeonemightnotwanttojoinourunion• Recordasmanyreasonsasyoucanwhysomeofyourfellowmembersspeakbadlyofourunion• Recordasmanyreasonsasyoucanwhymanagementdoesn’tlikeourunion• Shareyouranswerswithallmembers

Walmart

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_VL4gqrCHc

GettingtoYes

• Dividethemembersinto4groups• Assign1flipcharttoeachofthesetopics:• Worker’sneeds(thosethingsbeyondwages)• Economicneeds(thingstodowithmoney)• Socialneeds(humanneeds)• Managementreasons(reasonsthatleadtounionizing)

• Leteachgrouprotatetoeachflipchartfillinginasmanyreasonsastheycanateachstop• Discussasagroup

TellingOurStory

• Connect• Findsomethingwecanallrelateto• Tellapersonalstory• Pickaworkplaceissueyouknowothershavealsosufferedwith

• Contrast• Talkaboutopposingopinions• Namethosegroupswhodon’tagreewithus

• Solution• Giveconcreteexampleshowourunionoffersasolution• Explainexactlyhowourunionhassolvedthatissueatotherworkplaces

Don’tLetOthersTellOurStory!

• FoxNews

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlGW_TF_juQ

TheOtherSideofThatStory…

• SEIUcampaignmanual• https://www.scribd.com/doc/60893001/SEIU-Contract-Campaign-Manual-Pressuring-the-Employer

• SignedagiantFather’sDaycardandleftatpolitician’sofficeonfather’sdaytodrawattentiontostressleave

• Instructmemberstofollowmanagementorderstotheletter• Workins– whereworkerswon’tquitworking• Lyricstogroupsongstoliftspirits• Picketatemployer’shomes• NotethatbothGhandi andMartinLutherKingJrbrokeexistinglawsinordertochangelaws

Let’sOrganize

Connect,Contrast,Solution

• Sandyisapart-timecashierwhoworksmanyhoursatGreedeeGrocer.• Sheasingleparentwithtwoyoungchildren.• Sandyisconcernedaboutthelackofhealthcarebenefitsprovidedbyheremployer.• Shehasapositiveviewonunionsbut,isabitapprehensive.• Sandyreallyneedsthisjobanddon’twanttoloseitbecauseofourunion.

Manitoba’sLabourRelationsAct

• http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/l010e.php

• Dividetheclassinto4groups(eachwithaccesstotheinternet)• HavethemlistthingsourUnioncandobeforeandafteranorganizingdrive• NowlistthesamefortheEmployer• Sharethefindingswiththeclass

Let’sOrganize

Connect,Contrast,Solution• ChrisJoneshasbeenworkingforthecompanyfor17years.• Chris’currentwageis$19.50perhourandhepaysalotofhisbenefits.Thereistalkthatcostisgoingup.• Chrisworksapproximately10-15hoursperweekovertime.Helikestheovertimeasitgreatlyhelpshispaycheque.

• Chrishasnotbeenhappywithhisjobsincethecompanywasboughtouttwoyearsago.Managementisconstantlynitpickingtheworkersovereverydetailofwork.Twoofhislongtimeco-workerswererecentlyterminated,andChrisisafraidmanagementiscleaningouttheolder,morecostlyworkers.

• Chrishasbeeninvolvedinthecurrentunionorganizingcampaign,attendingmeetingswiththeunionorganizersandspeakingwithco-workers.

• Chriscannotaffordtolosehisjob.Hedefinitelywantstheunion,butissomewhatconcernedthatthecompanywillterminateunionsupporters.

• Chrishasbeencalledintohismanager’sofficeforameeting.Hehasheardthemanagerisspeakingtoanumberofemployeesabouttheunion.He’snotsurewhattodo,whattosay.

SumitUp

•WEAREORGANIZING(WHO)TO(WHATOUTCOME)THROUGH(HOW)BY(WHEN)

• Alargecorporationhasboughtoutasmallfamilycompanyabouttwoyearsago• Theformerownersaregoneaswellasmanyoftheoldmanagementteam• Thefamilyatmospherethatusedtoexisthasbeenreplacedwithasystematic,businessenvironmentwhichisnotbeingreceivedwellbytheworkers

• Someemployeeshavebeenmeetingwithunionorganizersrecentlyinthehopeofunionizing

• Managementhasterminatedsomeofthelongtermemployeesandhiredyoungworkerstotaketheirplace

• Thewagesandbenefitsarenotgreat,butthejobsarebetterthansomeothersinthearea

• Thecompanyemploys525workers

BuildingYourCase

• Askeachmembertothinkoftheirownunionstoryusingthefollowingquestionsasaguideline;

• Whydounionsmatter?• Whatdoestheunionmeantoyou?• Whatdoyoulikeaboutbeingaunionmember?• Thinkingaboutthethingsyou'dliketochange,whatistheroleofyourunioninhelpingmakethatchange?

• Shareyouranswerswiththeclass

MakingourCase

• Dividetheclassintopairstoanswerthefollowingquestions:• Brainstorm:Whatareoneortwothingsyouwishothermembersknewabouttheirunion.• WhatdoyouwishManitobansknewaboutourunion?• Howwouldyoutalktoyourneighbouraboutourunion?

• Sharetheanswerswiththeclass

WhoisOurAudience

• WHODOWEWANTTOENGAGE?• WHEREARETHEYCONNECTING?• WHYDOWEWANTTOENGAGETHEM?• HOWIMPORTANTISITTOENGAGETHISGROUP?

Mapping

• Date,Company,Address• Hours,shifts• Carsinparkinglot,workerstakebus?• Demographics(PT/FT?Women?Men?Age?)• Relevantnotes(privatebreakroom?Smokingarea?)• Insidecontacts?

WaystoMeet

Discussthepros/consofeachofthesemethodsofmeeting;• Housevisits• Smallgroup• Largegroup• Telephonecalls• Advertising• Leaflets• Letters• Texting• Socialmedia• Website

RosaParksandtheCivilRightsMovement

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT4k3OJ1XDk

If______Then_______Because________

• Ifwedo_______then________because________.

• If AfricanAmericansinMontgomeryboycottthebussystemthen thebuscompanywilldesegregatethebusesbecause thedecreaseinridershipwillsignificantlyimpacttheirprofits.

Let’sOrganize

Connect,Contrast,Solution(If,Then,Because)• CompanyZisamanufacturingfacility• TheemployeesattheCompanyareinvolvedinorganizingaunionintheworkplace• CompanyZhasbeeninoperationfor11yearsandemploys350workers• Recentlymanagementhasbegunhiringmanyimmigrantworkersandpayingthemmuchlessthanthelongtimeemployees

• Withtherecentadvancementinthecomputer-operatedmachines,thecompanydoesn’tneedtohaveasmanyskilledworkers,andtrainingnewemployeesismucheasier

• Long-termworkersareconcernedthattheywillbeeventuallyshovedoutandreplacedbythelowerwagedworkers

• Thecompanygivesraisesonceperyearuponreviewbysupervisorsandamanagementteam• Healthbenefitsareexpensiveandalthoughalltheworkerswerepromisedbenefits,theyhavebeenwaitingfor2yearsandstilltheyhavenobenefits

ToughQuestions

• Sometimesyou’llbeaskedsomeverytoughquestions.Usingthetechniquesyou’velearned,howwouldyouanswerthesethefollowing;

• I’mallforaunionbutthepeopleonmyshiftareallscared.Assoonasthecompanyfindsoutabouttheorganizingdrivetheywillrunforcover.WhatshouldIdo?• Whatleveragedoestheunionreallyhave?IcouldlosewhatIalreadyhave.IfyougointonegotiationswithallourproposalsandthecompanysimplyputsabigXthroughitandsaysno,thenwhat?

MoreToughQuestions

• Willwebepreventedfromdealingdirectlywithoursupervisors?Thecompanysayswewillneedtogothroughaunionstewardeverytimewewanttotalktothem.• Whataboutstrikes?Ican’taffordtogoonstrike.Whodecidesifwegoonstrike?• Iwasinauniononce.WhyshouldIvoteinfavouroftheunionwhentheplantIworkedatclosedandtheuniondidnothingforme?• Howisauniongoingtohelpusdealwithfavouritism?Thecompanywillkeeponpromotingwhomevertheywant.

EvenMoreToughQuestions

• Myco-workertoldmethatifIsignaunioncard,everyonewillknow.CanIbefiredforsupportingtheunion?• Whydon’twejustformourowncommitteeandnegotiatewiththecompany?Thatwaywewon’thavetopayunionduesandwon’thavetodealwithoutsiderswhoknownothingaboutourcompany.• Howtheunioncanhelpourjobsbemoresecure?Thecompanyhastomakemoney.• Whatifwelose?ThenIhavenoprotectionright?• HowcanIbenefitfromtheunionwhenallyoupromoteisseniorityandIhaveonlybeenworkinghereforthreemonths?

TheToughOnesKeepComing!

• Idon’twantanythingtodowithyourunion!Youtriedtoorganizethislocation10yearsago.Wedidn’twantyouthenandwedon’twantyounow!• WhatkindofguaranteeareyougoingtogivemethatifIjoinIwillgethigherwages?• Whatifsomeonesays:“Letmetalkitoverwithsomeofmyfriends.”• IfIsignaunioncarddoesthatmeantheunionisinautomaticallyrepresentingme?

Finally!

• Thiscompanywillneveracceptaunion.Nomatterwhatyouguyssayhowareyougoingtogetthemtoacceptit?• Howmuchwillwehavetopayinunionduesandinitiationfees?• I’mdoingallright.Idon’tneedaunion.Icanstickupformyself.Aren'tUnionsonlyfortroublemakersandlazyworkers?• I’mnotpreparedtostickmyneckout.Youcan’ttalkunionintheplantoryou’llgetfired.I’llprobablyvotefortheunionbutI’mnotgettinginvolved.Whycan'tyouguysjustleavemealone?

YourInsideCommittee

• It’simportanttohaveagroupofvolunteersfrominsidetheworkplacetohelpyou.• Theidealinsidecommitteehaspeoplefromeveryshift,eachdepartmentandrepresentingeverydemographic.• Brainstormsomewaystofindthosepeople.

InsideCommittees=InsideKnowledge

• Collectingnames,addresses,phonenumbersandworkinformationofco-workers• Drawadiagramoftheworkplace• Provideemployerhandbooks,policies,benefitinformation• Gatherinformationontheemployer• Attendunionmeetings• Copyworkschedules• Identifyissues• Provideideasforliteratureandcampaignthataddressthespecificneedsoftheworkersinthetargetlocation

• Evaluateco-workers• Assistinidentifyingleadersamongco-workers• Leaflet• Homecallwithorganizers

LevelsofEngagement

• Howpoliticalpartiestrackengagement;

• Volunteer• Membership• Donate• Voteforparty• Polling– onpartymessage

LadderofEngagement

• Activepro-union• Inactivepro-union• Friendly• Disengaged• Unfriendly• Inactiveanti-union• Activeanti-union

FlippingtheNumbers

• It’shardtomovesomeonefromanti-uniontoprobutcanyoumovethemfromdisengagedtofriendly?• Howwouldyoudothat?• Whatmightwork?• Whatprobablywon’twork?

TakingAction

• TheHardAsk• Willyoucometoameetingat5pmonWednesday?• Willyoucall10ofyourfellowemployeesandtellthemwhyunionizingwouldmaketheirjobsbetter?

You’retheExpert!

• Randomlyhandoutthequestionsfromthefirstdayofclass• Memberscanreadoutthequestionandseeiftheycananswerit.