Question

In 1995 Bristol Cream LTD. (BCL) makes soaps, shampoos, deodorants and other beauty aids for men and women. It has 80 “blue-collar” shop employees who make the products. 30 of these 80 specialize in developing new products. There are also 20 packagers and shippers. BCL has the following 9 managerial employees: a president, a vice president, a treasurer, a plant manager, an assistant plant manager, and confidential secretaries for the president, vice president, treasurer and plant manager.

30% (24) of the shop employees sign and then submit authorization cards to BCL identifying the Rockford Beauty Guild (RBG) as its chosen bargaining agent. RBG sends a recognition letter to BCL

Can the union supporting employees picket the company prior to the election?

Answer 1

Trade union is a union of the employees of a company who represent all the employees and talk to the management on behalf of all the employees. The main purpose of this trade union is to protect the employees from exploitation and work for their betterment.

Since the union agent in this case is selected by only 30% of the employees of the company and till now only letter has been sent for recognition of the agent, no election has been held, the union has no right to picket the company.

For the trade union to have power, it is important that it is elected first and then act accordingly.