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Start a Union

START A UNION WITH UFCW LOCAL 888

UFCW Local 888 is one of the most diverse labor unions in the UFCW International, boosting a membership of over 6000 members from various different industries across New Jersey and New York. We believe that every worker should have a say in their wages, schedules, and benefits  — backed by a union contract.

No matter your questions, we’re here to answer them and serve you. No experience with unions? No problem. In New Jersey and New York,  you can organize and unionize almost any company as long as you and your coworkers decide your job would be better with a union to back you up.

Are you ready to start a union in New Jersey or New York? Fill out the form below to talk to one of our organizers!

Learn How to Start A Union

How Do I Unionize?

Step 1: Talk to Your Coworkers

A union is when workers join together to improve their jobs. Talk to your coworkers about wages, benefits, and working conditions to see if they want to make them better, too.

Step 2: Talk to a Union Organizer 

No matter your questions, we’re here to answer them and serve you. From learning how you can start a union to better understanding all the steps involved in negotiating a contract, we want you to have all the information you need.

Click Here >> Contact our Organizing Team

Step 3: Start a Committee

With the help of a Union Organizer, you and your coworkers will build an organizing committee. This will be the key group of leaders at your workplace who feel strongest about the need to organize. Your committee will then work together to get more coworkers involved with the effort to win a union contract that makes everyone’s job better.

Step 4: Know Your Rights

Unions like the UFCW Local 888 will bring you more control over your wages, benefits, and workplace conditions. Companies would rather keep that control for themselves, so they often try to discourage employees from starting a union. Don’t worry, it is your right, protected by federal labor law, to start a union. You have the right to talk to your coworkers about starting a union and about workplace conditions, including pay.

Step 5: Sign Union Support Cards

Once a majority of your coworkers agree on the need to have a union, you will sign support cards. These cards declare that you want to start a union and have the UFCW Local 888 as your partner at work to help negotiate better wages, benefits, and working conditions. 

Click Here >> UFCW Local 888 Authorization Card

Step 6: Vote!

Once a majority of your coworkers have signed union support cards, they are submitted to the National Labor Relations Board to request a union election. This part can take several weeks as the Board decides on an election date and determines who at your workplace can vote. If a majority of your coworkers vote YES at your election, your employer now has to recognize your union and bargain with you and your coworkers.

Step 7: Negotiate Your Contract

Congratulation! it’s time to get the benefits you deserve! UFCW Local 888 and our negotiation team will begin working with you and your coworkers to negotiate your first union contract. You and your coworkers will have the opportunity to vote on the contract before it is finalized to ensure it has the benefits and value you deserve. After you’ve won your first contract, you can officially obtain UFCW Local 888 Membership!

READY TO ORGANIZE?

Begin the process of organizing in New Jersey or New York by talking to one of our experienced organizers.