Overview of the Union Organizing Process

Union issues at the University are governed by the Public Employee Relations Act (“PERA”), which is a state law administered by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (“PLRB”).

Step 1: Authorization Cards

Unionization efforts typically begin with an organizing drive during which the union will attempt to garner support among employees it seeks to represent.  A key goal of the union during this phase is to get employees in the proposed unit to sign authorization cards or petitions.

An authorization card or petition is a legal document authorizing a union to act as an individual’s exclusive representative regarding wages, hours, and working conditions.  Unions must obtain a certain number of signed authorization cards in order to seek an election.  However, an employee does not have to sign an authorization card in order to be eligible to vote in an election. 

Step 2: Seeking an Election

Under PERA, if a union collects signed authorization cards or petitions from at least 30% of the group of employees it seeks to represent, the union can file a petition with the PLRB seeking an election.  This 30% threshold is called the “showing of interest.”  At this point, the union will identify the parameters of that group, which is referred to as the “proposed bargaining unit.”  Assuming the PLRB does not reject the petition, the PLRB schedules a prehearing conference to determine if there are any objections by the employer to the appropriateness of the proposed bargaining unit.  If there are objections which cannot be resolved by the parties, there is a hearing in front of a hearing examiner appointed by the PLRB.  If there are no unresolved objections to the proposed unit, the parties sign an election agreement and an election is scheduled.

Step 3: The Hearing

The purpose of the hearing is to determine the appropriate scope of the bargaining unit so an election can be held.  After the submission of the evidence and written briefs, the hearing examiner for the PLRB will issue a written decision either dismissing the petition or directing that an election be held.  If an election is ordered, the decision will identify which positions will be eligible to vote.