Can I Start A Union Without My Boss Knowing?
Short answer: Yes, you can start a union without your boss knowing. Unionization is a confidential process that is intended to protect the rights and privacy of workers.
The process of certification, which is conducted by the Labour Relations Board, involves the collection of cards from workers that indicate their choice in the certification process.
These cards are confidential and are not typically made available to the employer.
The Role of Confidentiality and the YouIn? App
This confidentiality is important because it allows workers to make their choice about unionization without fear of retaliation from their employer. In some cases, employers may oppose unionization or may attempt to influence the outcome of the certification process. The confidentiality of the process helps to ensure that the decision about unionization is made by the workers themselves, without interference from their employer.
In addition to the traditional certification process, our new platform, known as YouIn?, allows workers to start a union completely anonymously. It’s designed to give workers a way to express their support for unionization without having to reveal their identities to their employer. It allows workers to sign digital cards that are sent to the Labour Relations Board for counting.
This means that workers can start a union without fear of their boss finding out.
In addition to the confidentiality of the unionization process, there is also a growing need for anonymous unionization in British Columbia and other areas where workers may face retaliation or discrimination for expressing support for unionization. This can include workers in industries where unionization is not common, or in workplaces where there is a history of anti-union sentiment.
The Gig Economy
One major example of this is in the gig economy, where workers are classified as independent contractors and are not protected by traditional labor laws. These workers often lack job security and benefits and may feel vulnerable to retaliation if they express support for unionization.
Anonymous unionization through apps like YouIn? can provide a way for these workers to voice their support for unionization without fear of retaliation.
To be free, the workers must have choice. To have choice they must retain in their own hands the right to determine under what conditions they will work.