PHR®/SPHR® Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide, Third Edition

7.5. Union Organization

At the initial stages of a union-organizing campaign, signs of union activity are difficult to detect. By the time management notices something unusual is taking place, the organizing process may already be well underway.

One early indication that an organizing campaign has begun is a noticeable change in employee behavior. For example, employees may begin to challenge management decisions using union terminology related to benefits or employee rights. The earliest signs of a union presence are characterized by sometimes subtle changes in workforce relationships. First-line supervisors, those closest to rank-and-file employees who are the target of organizing efforts, are the ones most likely to notice that something ...