How Do I Form A Union?

CausticWit

Currently I am employed part time at Crate and Barrel as a floor stocker. When I was hired I was told that the company promoted form within and should I put forth my best effort, I would be promoted in a timely manner. It has been six months since I was hired and neither I, nor anyone else in my position has been promoted. Instead the management has began hiring workers outside the store to fill vacancies in the other positions. Also the stockroom in which I work is littered with hazards and isn't a very safe place to work. I was wondering if I could/should form a labor union with my fellow workers as a way to try to get better pay, more consistent work hours, and better overall treatment from the higher ups. I don't know anything about forming a labor union, so I hope someone here could help me understand if this is a good/plausible idea.

Raneados

have you talked to the aboves about it?

CausticWit

I've talked to the managers repeatedly and they just say that there are no spots open for promotion. Based on their hiring practices this is clearly not the case. The Stockroom conditions never change despite complaints and fines from the fire department. I plan on talking to them again soon, I just want to know what my options are.

OremLK

Line up another job and then go to your boss and threaten to quit if they don't give you a raise.

Daenris

First off, in their minds 6 months is probably not a "timely manner." So maybe they were just BSing you to get you to work there, or maybe they don't think you've been there long enough to prove yourself worthy of promotion.

I'm not sure of the particulars of forming a union (though a google for how to form a union turns up some interesting results from relevant places). Chances are it would be much easier to deal with it without this. As suggested, I'd say try to line up another job as a bargaining chip. After that you'll also likely want to figure out who to report the hazardous working conditions to (above wherever the complaints have already gone since it hasn't changed anything).

Stupid Mr Whoopsie Name

Most American jobs that I know of have a 90 day "probationary" period, and at only 6 months on the job you're only 3 months out of that period. In the eyes of a manager, you're still wet behind the ears. If you are really that interested you'll have to stick it out longer.

The hazardous work environment, however, is a completely different issue. If you don't feel all that comfortable working in it, the best advice is another job.

supabeast

There are already existing unions for retail workers, you could try approaching one of them. As for forming your own, that’s a mess that requires help from lawyers.

But what you’re describing is pretty much status quo for retail. It’s sort of society’s way of encouraging people to go get good jobs.

Neaden

If where you work is unsafe you could always contact OSHA.

amateurhour

You can't form a union for floor workers at crate and barrel. They're going to fire you, fire any employees that go along with it, and close the store down, just to bury the problem. Weather you like them or hate them (I personally hate them), they're a very, very serious thing, and you can't just go start one because you don't like your job.

Six months is still timely. If you haven't gotten a five percent, or at least a 2.5 percent raise in a year, then you've got room to bitch.


Finally, you're part time, you're the low end of the pole, and you need to accept that. I could be wrong, but I didn't even think unions applied to part time employees. I know most part timers aren't eligible for a lot of health and vacation benefits.

Sorry it's not what you want to hear, but you are being terribly unrealistic here. Neaden had it right. Call OSHA if the place is genuinely unsafe, but if it's just the occasional spill that doesn't get wiped up, or a ladder that isn't chained down all the time, then drop it, because petty stuff like that is only going to get you less in favor with the boss.

Gooey

You haven't gotten a raise because you've only worked there 6 months.

Have you even asked to be promoted to another position?

You do realize that calling OSHA without going to your boss first could get a lot of people fired, right?

amateurhour

We need a little more background.

How old are you? What is your education background? Work experience prior to this job? What spots got filled by outside workers? What have you applied for in the company besides your current position?

Daenris

Gooey wrote: »

You haven't gotten a raise because you've only worked there 6 months.

Have you even asked to be promoted to another position?

You do realize that calling OSHA without going to your boss first could get a lot of people fired, right?

Apparently they have complained to the boss and it hasn't gotten anything accomplished:

The Stockroom conditions never change despite complaints and fines from the fire department.

Of course I'm assuming that those complaints were to management. If not, then obviously they need to be brought up to management first.

Crashtard

amateurhour wrote: »

You can't form a union for floor workers at crate and barrel. They're going to fire you, fire any employees that go along with it, and close the store down, just to bury the problem.

Yup. I worked at a factory where this was the case. The people in charge never came out and said it directly, but it was well known that if you were even seen in the presence of a union rep you'd be let go the following day with no questions asked. If a union was being formed they would just shut the place down and move before it ever got going.

Omnicron9999

Yeah, dont even try to form a union.

I used to work for CVS/Pharmacy, as a supervisor. They had specific training for the event that employees wanted to unionize. I'm serious.

Management isn't specifically allowed to stop it, but in all reality, they're allowed to stop it.


It really isn't that cut and dry, but just really don't even try it.

You would have much better luck trying to join another retail union. Even that won't work too well though. Management (who I have frequently been a member of) HATES unions.


Try to get a better job, if possible.

The safety issues should absolutely be reported to anyone and everyone. OSHA is good, dept. of Labor (Federal and Local) cares too, even the local authorities care about accidents. Hell, even call the news if it gets that bad, they love this shit.

I've seen way too many OSHA violations, slips, falls, injuries...etc. Hell, even the mostly harmless chemicals you see in every photo lab are only supposed to be handled by people over 18. How many people who run the photo lab are really over 18? I wasn't when I first started...

In the end though, call anyone and everyone. As a supervisor, I've called the ambulance 3 times for work related injuries. Get the things that are unsafe fixed.

Fizban140

If you are really concerned about the safety then complain to the management. I am not sure what kind of work you do but OSHA covers it all, look it up and you can find all sorts of regulations.