How we get there | Touchstone Workers

The Process

Union cards are an expression of intent in forming a union and letting the workers vote to unionize.
At least 30% of the workers need to have signed cards to call a vote. However, worker organizing committees will wait for at least 70%.
The company is then legally obligated to hold an election to determine whether a majority of workers want a union.
This typically happens around 35 days after filing with the National Labour Relations Board.

A simple majority of people voting (50% + 1 vote) is needed for the workers to form a union.
The company usually decides on whether the voting is in-person or by mail, and voting times/locations.
However, if the time or location the company decides are judged as unfair, these may be shifted.

The process by which the workers present their needs to the company’s corporate owners.
The bargaining committee consists of workers elected by their colleagues, with hopefully all departments and locations having at least one representative on the committee. They write the proposals based on results from an employee survey.
The bargaining comittee is assisted by the union's legal counsel and union representatives from Workers United who have experience dealing with anti-union companies.
Touchstone has been represented by their lawyer, HR, and a gym manager.
The parties meet in person or on Zoom.
Typically, the committee and employers meet once or twice a month. A frequency that is usually dictated by the employer, with unions wanting more sessions to move the company forward and improve their workplace.
Each party presents proposals and counter proposals until an agreement is reached and the proposal is tentatively agreed to.

Once every proposal is TA’d, the members of the bargaining unit (all unionized employees) will vote on whether they want the contract ratified and its proposals adopted.
No contract or proposed changes will be adopted by the company without the support of its workers. If a majority of the workers do not support the contract, then it's back to the bargaining table!