Speak with a union organizer about starting a campaign at your workplace. They will provide you with an information package, and help you to develop a plan.

Sign a membership card, which demonstrates your desire to be unionized. These cards will be kept confidential, and at no time will your employer be told who signed a card in support of the union. They will be kept by the union, and are valid for 90 days.

Discuss the merits of being unionized. This can be done before work, at breaks, or after work. Your rights to unionize and discuss unionization are legally protected, and you can’t be punished for discussing or supporting a unionization campaign, during non-working hours. Get coworkers to sign membership cards, or put them in touch with a union organizer to speak with.

When more than 45% of the employees have signed membership cards the union will submit an application for certification with the Labour Relations Board. The board will then verify the cards, without disclosing any of the names to the employer. If enough employees are represented by the cards the Board will order a vote, by secret ballot.

Get out and vote! It’s crucial that all of the people that signed cards in support of unionization cast a vote in support. Encourage your coworkers to vote, and remind them of the importance of voting.

If the vote is successful, then the Board will certify the union as the bargaining agent for the employees, and work can begin on negotiating a contract for the workers.