What is a Union?
A union is an organization formed by employees. It forms when providers like you come together to use your collective voice and advocate for change in the workplace—for the betterment of you, your colleagues, and most importantly, your patients.
How to Organize a Union
Step 1
Assemble an organizing committee of dedicated individuals.
Step 2
Identify the top workplace issues and concerns to be addressed.
Step 3
Sign a secure, confidential union authorization card that authorizes the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) to represent you in collective bargaining for a new contract. The only parties that will know you signed a union authorization card are the UAPD and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Step 4
The UAPD will file a petition to unionize on behalf of you and your colleagues with the NLRB.
Step 5
The NLRB will determine the date and modality for a union election. Elections will be conducted either via mail-in ballot or in person.
*If the election is vote-by-mail, a ballot will be sent to eligible voters at the home address on file with their employer.
Step 6
Once an election date is determined, it will be time to get out the vote! To win the election, 50% of the vote plus 1 must be secured. For example: if there are 60 votes total, 31 “yes” votes are needed to form a union.