FOE: Legal Strategies of Communication

Keep the following acronym in mind for the kinds of things a manager can do during a campaign.

FOE: WHAT MANAGERS CAN DO

F = Facts   Here it is important for managers to share the facts regarding the union and to help set expectations relative to the organizing process. Examples of this are to let the employees know about what we can legally do as a company and what the union can legally do during a campaign and in bargaining, or what to expect relative to how the contract negotiation process takes place if the union should win the election.
Other facts which can be expressed include:

• Share Tom Terrific Toys' views on unionization (see the policy statement).
• Share specifics directly from the National Labor Relations Act and from reputable websites. 
• Talk about representation statistics (unions represent a very small portion of the private-sector workforce today). 
• Let employees know that if they join a union they will pay dues, which can often add up to the equivalent of several hours of pay—or more—each month.

O = Opinions  Here it is okay to share your own personal beliefs of why you feel a union is bad for the employees, but make sure your message is aligned with the acronym of TIPS and our company’s position on unionization.
A few examples of this are to let our employees know that the decision to be represented by a union is their choice but that in your opinion, you would prefer to work directly with them to resolve any of their concerns. Note that Tom Terrific Toys does have a history of addressing employee concerns directly and possibly share an example of this.
It is suggested you share stories of your own experiences or that of someone else who saw firsthand the division between employees and management when the workforce was represented by a union. 

E = Examples  Here it is important for you to share specific examples of situations that involve union organizing and contract negotiations. If you do not recall or have any examples, one possible solution is to share YouTube videos that unions post showing outrageous behavior on the picket line, specifics of promises made during campaigns at other companies versus contracts that unions have negotiated, information about strikes and fines to employees who cross picket lines, and stories about union corruption. More importantly, share examples of when Tom Terrific Toys experienced positive actions as a result of working directly with the employees.