Election Facts
As is often the case with elections, many nurses have questions, and we have heard a number of rumors that are not accurate. We want to make certain that every nurse has accurate information regarding election details and your right to vote.
In my opinion
Hear what nurses and nurse leaders have to say about unionization.
Fact Sheets
Click the fact sheets below to enlarge and download.
FAQs
Teamsters File Notice of Petition
- The Teamsters filed a petition for an election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to determine whether RNs across Corewell Health East want to be represented by the Teamsters.
- They did not make a demand for recognition based on majority (50+%) support, and we believe that a majority of our registered nurses do not want to be represented by the Teamsters.
- The NLRB will hold a secret-ballot election where our registered nurses will have the chance to decide whether they want to pay the Teamsters to be their exclusive bargaining representative.
- The voting process is safe, secure, and completely confidential. No one will know how you voted.
- Filing the petition does not mean the Teamsters have widespread support. To file their petition, the Teamsters only needed 30% of the CHE nurses to sign cards, and we believe many nurses signed because the card was misrepresented to them, or they were pressured to do so. Many nurses have asked to get their cards back.
- An election will be decided by a majority of those who vote. This election will have a substantial impact on all of us, so we think it is critical that every RN votes.
- No, our nursing team members are not in a Union.
- Filing the petition does not mean the Teamsters have widespread support.
- We believe that a majority of our registered nurses do not want to be Teamsters.
- An election will be decided by a majority of those who vote. This election will have a substantial impact on all of us, so we think it is critical that every RN votes.
- The election will be in-person on November 12, 13 and 14.
- There will be nine voting locations – one at each of the eight hospitals and one at the Southfield Center. Each location will have designated voting days and times. More information about where and when each individual team member can vote will be provided soon.
- An election will be decided by a majority of those who vote. This election will have a substantial impact on all of us, so we think it is critical that every eligible RN votes.
- The Teamsters’ petition was very broad and included all registered nurses employed by CHE at or through the eight hospitals and the Southfield Center.
- This includes 80+ different job classifications, including flex nurses, casual nurses, charge nurses, in-patient nurses, ambulatory nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, nurse educators.
- Nurses in covered job dassif1cat1ons who were hired on or before October 5, 2024 will be eligible to vote.
- The Teamsters’ petition was very broad and included all registered nurses employed by CHE at or through the eight hospitals and the Southfield Center. Corewell did not and does not control how the Teamsters decided to define the group it wants to organize.
- This includes 80+ different job classifications, including flex nurses, casual nurses, charge nurses, in-pat1ent nurses, ambulatory nurses.
- Nurses in covered job classifications who were hired on or before October 5, 2024 will be eligible to vote.
- While most registered nurses at CHE are in the voting group, there are some who are not. This could be for several reasons. For example, if you are a supervisor, a confidential employee, in a job that does not require an individual to be a registered nurse, or are employed at or through an entity that is not associated with one of the eight CHE hospitals or the Southfield Center.
- No, you do not need to sign a union authorization card to vote – it is your right to vote under federal law, regardless of whether you signed anything. Any claim otherwise is not true.
- It is also your right under federal law to vote how you wish, even if you did sign a card. Remember that your vote will be by secret ballot. Nobody will know how you voted.
- That is an excellent question. The Teamsters do not need to submit additional cards to support the election, so it is highly unusual that they continue to try to get cards signed. We are concerned the Teamsters may be attempting to avoid an election. We think the Teamsters do not want our team members to decide this issue but instead will ask the government to install them without an election. The best way to stop that from happening is not to sign a card.
- You can still come in and vote if you are on PTO or a Leave of Absence.
- November 12-14 will be your only opportunity to decide whether you want to pay the Teamsters to be your exclusive representative in the workplace. We strongly encourage everyone to vote.
- You will be assigned a location to vote in person. More information about where and when each individual team member can vote will be provided soon.
- Your leaders are available for questions and honest conversation.
- We will also continue to communicate with you through written communications, postings, etc.
- You can go to The Truth About Teamsters on The Well, or BeinformedCH.org
- We strongly encourage open communication and dialogue on this important issue that will impact all of our registered nurses and our culture for years to come.
- You have the right to campaign AGAINST the Teamsters.
- You have the right to revoke your union authorization card.
- You have the right not to sign a new card.
- You have to right to tell other team members you don’t want a union at our hospitals or facilities.
- You have the right to vote NO in an election.
What is a union authorization card?
A union authorization card/petition/online form is a legal document that can give a union the exclusive right to speak and act on your behalf with regard to wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment. You do not have to sign a union authorization document to get more information or to vote in an election if there were one. You should carefully read anything you are considering signing and not sign a union authorization card/petition/online form unless you are sure you want to be represented by a union.
What do union authorization documents look like?
Authorization documents can take many forms and generally look harmless. Hard copy cards may resemble a magazine subscription renewal card. Petitions may look like a normal piece of paper often with very small writing outlining the legal obligations that come with signing. Some authorization documents are simply online forms that ask you to click on “I agree.”
Regardless of their appearance, however, a signed authorization card is a legal power of attorney that authorizes a union to act as the collective bargaining agent for you and other team members in negotiations with the employer. The documents also provide the union with personal information, including a home address and telephone number so the union representatives can contact you or visit you at home. The card may ask what department you work in and the type of work you perform. The NLRB requires only a signature and date on authorization cards; it is the union that wants the additional information about you that is requested on a card.
Why is a team member’s signature so important to the union?
Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), if the union obtains signatures from 30 percent of the team members in a potential bargaining unit (team member group), it can file a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a secret ballot election in which team members vote to determine if they want to be unionized. If the union collects signatures from more than 50 percent of those in a potential bargaining unit, it could demand that Corewell Health recognize the union as the team members’ representative without holding a secret ballot election. If this were to happen, CorewellHealth would exercise its legal right to reject this demand, which would require the union to file a petition with the NLRB to hold a secret ballot election.
How do union organizers get team members’ signatures on cards?
Signatures on union authorization documents can be gathered in a number of ways including:
- Going to your home and asking to come in and speak with you
- Online and through texts and emails
- Waiting for you as you leave work
- Approaching you and other team members in Corewell Health facilities while at work, in the cafeteria, break areas or in the parking garage
- Through meetings purported to offer professional education credits
- Through sign-in sheets at informational meetings
- Through co-workers who support the union
- Through flyers sent to your home with cards attached
What rights do team members have if they don’t want to sign a union authorization document?
You have the right not to sign an authorization card, petition or online form and to not be pressured or harassed by any union organizer or supporter. If you feel you are being pressured or harassed to sign a union document, you may tell the organizer you are not interested and to leave you alone. You can also report this to your manager or Human Resources.
Does signing a card guarantee better wages, benefits and working conditions?
Signing a union authorization card, petition or online form does not guarantee anything. If a union were to be voted in, the only thing it can do is negotiate on behalf of those it represents. In contract negotiations, you could end up with more, the same or less than you currently have. No one can predict the outcome of union contract negotiations.
If a team member signs a union authorization card and changes his or her mind later, can they get it back?
A team member who signs a card and then later changes his or her mind has every right to ask for the card back, and to rescind their authorization of union representation by sending a letter via certified mail to the union’s local office. It is also a good idea to send a copy to the National Labor Relations Board regional office as well, so that they know that the team member has revoked the authorization and requested that the card be returned. A team member also can attempt to revoke the card by asking the person the card was given to, to return it.
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Dues Calculator
Per the Teamsters Constitution and Bylaws, dues for members employed in an industry in which there is a legal right to strike are two and one-half (2.5) times an employee’s hourly rate of pay per month, up to a maximum of forty (40) hours paid per week at the straight time rate, including regular straight time hours, paid time off and longevity pay included in base dues.
Learn more about the Teamsters’ dues and fees.
Fact Sheets
Dues Calculator
Learn more about the Teamsters’ dues and fees.
Your Rights
Understanding your legal rights is the first step in making an informed, educated decision about unionization and how it might impact you and your family.
Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects an individual team member’s right to engage – or not to engage – in union support, membership, and other protected concerted activities. Your decision to support or not support unionization will in no way impact your employment.
You have the right to:
- Sign or not sign a union authorization card or petition
- Refrain from any union activity
- Engage in union activity and support the union
- Campaign against the union
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about the name change to Corewell Health.
What is a union authorization card?
A union authorization card/petition/online form is a legal document that can give a union the exclusive right to speak and act on your behalf with regard to wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment. You do not have to sign a union authorization document to get more information or to vote in an election if there were one. You should carefully read anything you are considering signing and not sign a union authorization card/petition/online form unless you are sure you want to be represented by a union.
What do union authorization documents look like?
Authorization documents can take many forms and generally look harmless. Hard copy cards may resemble a magazine subscription renewal card. Petitions may look like a normal piece of paper often with very small writing outlining the legal obligations that come with signing. Some authorization documents are simply online forms that ask you to click on “I agree.”
Regardless of their appearance, however, a signed authorization card is a legal power of attorney that authorizes a union to act as the collective bargaining agent for you and other team members in negotiations with the employer. The documents also provide the union with personal information, including a home address and telephone number so the union representatives can contact you or visit you at home. The card may ask what department you work in and the type of work you perform. The NLRB requires only a signature and date on authorization cards; it is the union that wants the additional information about you that is requested on a card.
Why is a team member’s signature so important to the union?
Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), if the union obtains signatures from 30 percent of the team members in a potential bargaining unit (team member group), it can file a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a secret ballot election in which team members vote to determine if they want to be unionized. If the union collects signatures from more than 50 percent of those in a potential bargaining unit, it could demand that Corewell Health recognize the union as the team members’ representative without holding a secret ballot election. If this were to happen, CorewellHealth would exercise its legal right to reject this demand, which would require the union to file a petition with the NLRB to hold a secret ballot election.
How do union organizers get team members’ signatures on cards?
Signatures on union authorization documents can be gathered in a number of ways including:
- Going to your home and asking to come in and speak with you
- Online and through texts and emails
- Waiting for you as you leave work
- Approaching you and other team members in Corewell Health facilities while at work, in the cafeteria, break areas or in the parking garage
- Through meetings purported to offer professional education credits
- Through sign-in sheets at informational meetings
- Through co-workers who support the union
- Through flyers sent to your home with cards attached
What rights do team members have if they don’t want to sign a union authorization document?
You have the right not to sign an authorization card, petition or online form and to not be pressured or harassed by any union organizer or supporter. If you feel you are being pressured or harassed to sign a union document, you may tell the organizer you are not interested and to leave you alone. You can also report this to your manager or Human Resources.
Does signing a card guarantee better wages, benefits and working conditions?
Signing a union authorization card, petition or online form does not guarantee anything. If a union were to be voted in, the only thing it can do is negotiate on behalf of those it represents. In contract negotiations, you could end up with more, the same or less than you currently have. No one can predict the outcome of union contract negotiations.
If a team member signs a union authorization card and changes his or her mind later, can they get it back?
A team member who signs a card and then later changes his or her mind has every right to ask for the card back, and to rescind their authorization of union representation by sending a letter via certified mail to the union’s local office. It is also a good idea to send a copy to the National Labor Relations Board regional office as well, so that they know that the team member has revoked the authorization and requested that the card be returned. A team member also can attempt to revoke the card by asking the person the card was given to, to return it.