Let's Keep This Between US
Keeping Your Secret. We know your job comes first!
We understand your desire to 'keep your head down and avoid sniper fire', we work here too. We all saw how the layoffs targeted pro-union voices, and we understand your fear. The last thing we want to do is affect your employment or put you in a position for retribution. While employer retribution for supporting a union or union effort IS ILLEGAL, it is definitely a thing... we've seen it first hand. But please, spend a few moments with us learning how we can protect your identity from your 'first subtle nod' all the way through a "yes" vote.
The most important thing for you to know is that we will NEVER leak your name, NEVER under any circumstances will your name come out in a pro-union discussion if you don't want your name associated with this effort. This holds true before, during and after a vote campaign, win or lose we will never disclose names or your association with us.
You should know that you can support the entire union effort, including signing a union authorization card and the union vote, in a confidential manner where our employer never knows if you supported or voted in favor of a union.
At this point, your name won't even be on a piece of paper anywhere. At some point, when its time to sign Union Authorization Cards, we will have to ask you for some personal information but these signed cards, or digital cards are NEVER turned over to management. The e-cards get submitted directly to the union headquarter servers which are then reviewed the NLRB, and only the overall 'tally' gets disclosed to our management. This is a legally protected process through the National Labor Relations Board.
We will talk more about the nuances of Union Authorizations cards, and what signing them actually means in a different section. But the import thing to take away here is your private information will never, never, never be turned over to management during this entire process- win or lose. That is our solemn promise, we are here to protect each other, and that starts with your name.
Other things we've done to protect your name.
1) This website. You didn't have to sign-in to get here, you don't have to sign up to get information.
2) Your name doesn't get shared between organizers. Someone sent you here, but it wasn't me....we asked our trusted friends to talk to their trusted friends, who talked to their trusted friends. Its like a VPN but with people instead of servers, I couldn't rat you out if I wanted to because I don't know who you are- and that's the way we want it.
3)We're keeping things low key- there may be many weeks that go by when you don't hear any updates- that's not because we've lost hope, but because we're learned from previous mistakes. There are big things happening behind the scenes and big things take time to get rolling. We'd love to share every win and update with you but the more we share with you the greater the chances of management messing with our efforts.
But one last thing! Just because we're keeping things on the down low doesn't mean we don't appreciate your help. There ARE ways you can help, even very secretively.... learn more about that in the following sections.
You Are Your Brother's Keeper
We watch out for each other, its what we've always done. Every workday, every task, we keep each other safe; whether it's high voltage, hot pipes, reversing loaders, or spiteful bosses, we identify the hazard, communicate the risk and get the job done. This effort is no different.
How you can 'keep our secret and protect your brothers': On your breaks and before work- talk to those around you who you know and trust, identify those who need help and guidance. It's great to have so many enthusiastic co-workers regarding this union effort, but there is a lot of work to do, there are LOTS of people that are mad, sad, scared and/or apathetic about the recent changes, we need your help guiding them here so they understand they are not alone and learn what we're doing to protect them. UnionOnTheNorthSlope.org is for us and for them.
There are other people who truly don't understand all that management has taken from us or all they are going to take from us. Guide them here too so they can have light shown on the reality of the situation. UnionOnTheNorthSlope.org was created for them too.
However, there are a few people who, for whatever reason, are adamantly opposed to any type of collective bargaining- they are our dear friends and coworkers, but in this case any effort to engage with them would be counter productive.
The same goes for management- several of our bosses ARE our friends, they are great guys that we've worked alongside for years and respect, but they're in a horrible position where their loyalties and integrity would be unfairly challenged by any involvement in this effort. In fact, the best way you can protect a supervisor that you respect and admire is to leave them in the dark- they can't lie about what they don't know.
Talk privately- there is no reason to put people on the spot, and definitely not in front of a group. These aren't conversions to be had at work, or around non-COP non-hourly employees. This is not a coercion campaign, if a person isn't interested don't press the topic. There are PLENTY of other co-workers you can help navigate here, we're a safe harbor for every mad, scared, depressed, or anxious tool buddy on your shift. Pass our message to them so they see they're not alone.