Know Your Rights
You have rights when organizing with your coworkers.
Learn what management can and cannot do, what activities are protected, and what to document if something happens at work. Federal law protects your right to organize.
What Management Cannot Lawfully Do
The law is on your side.
Under the National Labor Relations Act, management cannot interfere with your right to organize. Here is what that means in practice.
Threaten employees with job loss, reduced hours, or other adverse action for union activity
Retaliate against employees because of protected organizing activity
Coercively question employees about their union support or the support of coworkers
Spy on protected organizing activity or create the impression of surveillance
Promise benefits to employees to discourage union support
Discipline or discharge employees for engaging in protected concerted activity
What Management Can Do
Know the difference.
Share its opinion about unionization
Provide factual information about the union process
Rules concerning employer meetings about unionization can change. Contact CNA for current guidance about a specific meeting or incident.
If Something Happens
Write it down. Every detail matters.
If you believe your rights have been violated, document what happened as soon as possible. Have questions about organizing or how your information is handled? Email OurCause@CommunityRN.org. Please do not include patient information.
Document everything
- Date and time
- Location / unit
- Who was involved
- Exact words that were said
- Who witnessed it
- Whether attendance was mandatory
Contact CNA if you're unsure whether your rights were violated.
Read your NLRB rights
The National Labor Relations Board protects your right to organize, form a union, and engage in collective action. Their website has the full text of your rights.
Questions? We're here.
Have questions about organizing or how your information is handled? Email us. Please do not include patient information.
OurCause@CommunityRN.org