Pre-organizing Checklist
Laying the Groundwork
Key Steps to Kickstart Your Organizing Efforts
Before diving into the unionizing process, it’s essential to prepare effectively. Our pre-organizing checklist will guide you through key steps, helping you assess your workplace environment and build a strong foundation for organizing.
Identify Issues Affecting Workers
• Examples: pay, benefits, mandatory overtime, working conditions, management issues
Measure Worker Interest
• Have one-on-one conversations with co-workers and see if they share the same opinions or what their concerns are.
• Conversations should be discreet and preferably outside of work.
Build an Organizing Committee
• Once you’ve had several one-on-one conversations, ask supportive co-workers to join your efforts. A strong organizing committee will be the backbone of this effort.
• Create a diverse committee. The committee should represent different departments and work areas.
• Divide up tasks moving forward. If possible, try to have the organizing committee reflective of the workforce.
Map Your Workplace
• How many workers are there?
• How many shifts/departments/locations?
• What is the management structure?
• Collect contact information for co-workers. Avoid work email or phone numbers.
Contact a Union Organizer
• Contact the Iowa AFL-CIO so we can discuss the union that will be the right fit for you and your co-workers. We can answer questions, evaluate where you are in your efforts and make the initial outreach to a union organizer!
• Contact a union directly if you feel confident in your work and have contact information readily available.