TIPS: Unfair Labor Practices during Organizing Campaign

This acronym is essential to recall when questioned by workers during a union campaign.

TIPS:    WHAT MANAGERS CANNOT DO

T = Threats: Threats or coercion by management are prohibited. Several examples include telling employees the company will close a work location or a plant if employees vote for union representation. Threatening to discipline a worker or terminating their employment because they support the union, or making statements about discontinuing benefits or reducing pay if the union is voted in.

I = Interrogation: It is illegal to ask employees about their support of the union or to ask about the alignment of their peers relative to union support. Examples of interrogation include asking employees to give the names of those who attended an organizing meeting, polling employees to see who is a company supporter and who is a union supporter, asking employees if they (or others) have signed an authorization card or how they (or others) will vote, and seeking grievances from employees during the campaign.

P = Promises: Our company cannot interfere in the organizing efforts by assuring our employees that we will make things better for them if they just keep the union out. This is considered to be just as illegal as making threats. Examples of promises include agreeing to address grievances during the campaign, offering our employees pay increases or better benefits, or promising those promotions or special treatment for supporting the company instead of the union.

S = Surveillance: This should be fairly obvious. Spying on which employees are attending a meeting, taking pictures, telling others someone is a union supporter, or listening in on and taking notes on what people are saying is highly illegal. Furthermore, management should never attend a union meeting, even if invited.