Authorization Cards

Definition

Authorization cards are legal documents that grant specific permissions or authorities to individuals or organizations. In the context of labor law, these cards are used to designate a union's representation of employees in collective bargaining negotiations with an employer.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Authorization cards are used by unions to demonstrate that a majority of employees in a bargaining unit support union representation.
2. The NLRB requires that a union obtain authorization cards from at least 30% of employees in a bargaining unit before it can petition for a representation election.
3. Employers are prohibited from interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of their right to form, join, or assist a union.
4. The NLRB can order an employer to bargain with a union if it finds that the employer has unlawfully refused to recognize and bargain with the union based on valid authorization cards.
5. Authorization cards are a crucial step in the process of union organization, as they provide the legal foundation for a union to represent employees in collective bargaining.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and significance of authorization cards in the context of labor law.
  • Authorization cards are used by unions to demonstrate that a majority of employees in a bargaining unit support union representation. They are a crucial legal document that provides the foundation for a union to represent employees in collective bargaining negotiations with an employer. The NLRB requires that a union obtain authorization cards from at least 30% of employees before it can petition for a representation election, and the NLRB can order an employer to bargain with a union if it finds that the employer has unlawfully refused to recognize and bargain with the union based on valid authorization cards.
• Describe the role of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in the authorization card process.
  • The NLRB is the federal agency responsible for overseeing and enforcing labor laws, including the administration of union representation elections and the processing of unfair labor practice charges. The NLRB plays a critical role in the authorization card process by requiring that a union obtain authorization cards from at least 30% of employees in a bargaining unit before it can petition for a representation election. Additionally, the NLRB can order an employer to bargain with a union if it finds that the employer has unlawfully refused to recognize and bargain with the union based on valid authorization cards.
• Analyze the legal protections and employer obligations surrounding the use of authorization cards in the union organizing process.
  • Employers are legally prohibited from interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of their right to form, join, or assist a union. This includes any actions that may discourage or intimidate employees from signing authorization cards. The NLRB can order an employer to bargain with a union if it finds that the employer has unlawfully refused to recognize and bargain with the union based on valid authorization cards, which demonstrates the legal significance and protections surrounding the use of these cards in the union organizing process. Employers have a legal obligation to respect and uphold the rights of employees to engage in union activities, including the signing of authorization cards.

Related terms

Collective Bargaining: The process of negotiation between an employer and a group of employees, represented by a union, to determine the conditions of employment.

Union Representation: The legal right of a union to represent and advocate for the interests of employees in negotiations with an employer.

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB): The federal agency responsible for overseeing and enforcing labor laws, including the administration of union representation elections and the processing of unfair labor practice charges.