In order for an election to be held to allow employees to vote whether to be represented by a union, thirty percent (30%) of the employees eligible to participate in a union must "show interest" in an election. We do this through the membership form.

As a federal employee, your right to solicit signatures requesting a union election is protected under 5 USC Section 7116(a)(1), which prohibits management from interfering with an employee's right to "form, join or assist a labor organization."

The following guidelines explain how to go about circulating a showing of interest petition:

When And Where To Solicit Signatures

• You have the absolute right to discuss, sign and circulate showing of interest material in non-work areas (such as break rooms, lunch rooms) during non-work times (such as lunch time, break time and before and after work).

• In most cases, you have the right to solicit signatures in work areas during non- work times. This means, that if both you and the person you are soliciting are on break, and you do not disrupt the work of other employees, you may usually collect signatures in work areas. This is especially true if it is a common practice for employees to discuss non- work related issues in work areas.

Who Should Sign

Those not eligible are managers, supervisors, employees engaged in personnel work (except those who do purely clerical work) and secretaries who handle confidential personnel matters, such as evaluations, material. Ask all other employees to sign.

Explaining The Process

• When asking people to sign, explain that it will be used to petition the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) calling for a union election and that it cannot be used for membership until after and if we win the election. Be prepared to explain how NTEU has already benefited employees and why you think they should support our election efforts.

• Explain that the FLRA, NTEU and you will protect the confidentiality of the signatures and that management will not know who signed until after the election is won and the membership forms are submitted.

• If the person has questions, try to answer them. If you can't answer them, tell them you will get back to them and seek out the information. Contact your NTEU organizing representative.

It is possible that some managers, unfamiliar with the law in this area, may instruct you to stop collecting membership forms. If you are told to stop do so, then contact your NTEU organizing representative for further instructions.