Final answer:
After the NLRB defines the bargaining unit, the next step in forming a union is to file a petition for representation. If sufficient interest is shown, then a secret ballot election is conducted to decide on union representation. The result of this election, if in favor of unionization, leads to NLRB certification of the union as the employees' bargaining representative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of forming a union involves several steps that workers and firms need to follow, often guided by laws and regulations set forth by government entities such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). After the NLRB defines the bargaining unit, a group that represents the employees in negotiations with the employer, the next step usually involves filing a petition for representation. If enough interest is shown, typically through signed authorization cards or a showing of interest by at least 30% of employees, the NLRB will conduct a secret ballot election.
During this phase, supporters of the union promote a "yes" vote, while the company's management may attempt to persuade workers to vote "no," often hiring consultants to help influence the decision. The election process is designed to protect the workers' rights to organize and ensure a transparent and fair vote. If the majority of voting workers favor unionization, the NLRB will then certify the union as the bargaining representative for employees in the unit.
The history of U.S. unions shows that legal contexts, such as the National Labor Relations Act and Taft-Hartley Act, have played significant roles in shaping the procedures for establishing a union and the protection they afford workers. These laws establish the structure within which the NLRB operates, and they have a lasting impact on union membership dynamics. The right of workers to form unions and management's obligation to engage with unions are foundational elements in the labor relations landscape of the United States.