Half of nonunion workers would join a union today if given the opportunity to do so. And approval of labor unions is at its highest point since 1965.
Yet workers still struggle to form unions. Why? Our labor laws are badly broken. And penalties for violations of the laws that we currently have on the books are so weak that many companies willfully violate them.
Organizing workers are also subjected to captive audience meetings. These are mandatory, closed-door meetings during work hours where workers are often threatened and harassed about their union support. Workers can be disciplined or fired if they don’t attend. One nurse was put in a hospital supply closet with the manager’s back to the door. Another worker was threatened that the company may close their store if they join a union. Management will surveil workers and implement other strategies to attempt to scare workers.
Here are Connecticut workers explaining what it’s like to go through a captive audience meeting:
In Connecticut, we have an opportunity to protect workers who seek to form a union.
Senate Bill 163 will give a worker the right – when the subject of a meeting is about the employer’s position on politics (including union organizing) or religion – to stop listening and return to work without fear of being disciplined or terminated.
Click here to contact your state legislators today and urge them to support SB 163!
This legislation will provide critical protection to workers who are subjected to these captive audience meetings. But it won’t pass without your help.
Hear the full story about captive audience meetings from organizers and workers (new videos each week!):
Organizing Director Jessica Petronella Breaks Down Captive Audience Meetings
Worker describes how captive audience meetings erode human dignity
Dollar General Workers Expose Company's Illegal Union-Busting
Hospitals have tried to coerce employee speech. We can stop it.
Organizer Describes Employer Threats & Intimidation During a Union Organizing Campaign
School Bus Companies Have Held Captive Audience Meetings to Intimidate Workers
Workers are Human Beings. SB 163 Will Help Them Fight Injustice at Work.
No One Should Be Intimidated or Afraid at Work.
Nurse Was Forced Into Supply Closet for Captive Audience Meeting
Workers Shouldn’t Be Cornered and Threatened at Work
Click here to urge your state representative and senator to protect workers seeking to form a union!
Resources:
- Click here for a fact sheet on Senate Bill 163.
- Click here for a fact sheet detailing two CT-specific stories about captive audience meetings being used by employers.
For more information, please contact Legislative Director Jennifer Berigan at jberigan@ctaflcio.org.