Labor union organizations and labor union organizing can be both difficult and frustrating for employers to deal with. They are third party organizations that inject themselves into dealings between you and your employees, or you and your independent contractors.

Labor union organizations come in different shapes and sizes. Some are international labor unions that span different countries, and others are purely domestic. Regardless, as a business owner you have certain rights in dealing with a labor union, as well as responsibilities. You can educate your employees on the benefits of union avoidance if you so choose and still stay within the scope of the law. Keep in mind that many employers have good relationships with unions, so fighting a union is not necessarily your best option.

Many employers also deal with unions outside of their employees for basic infrastructure needs, including construction and other building issues. Whatever the case, if you are faced with a labor union organization, it's best to understand what you're dealing with.

Important steps to take include:

1. Educating yourself as to the nature of the union with which you are dealing, whether it is a laborers international union or one of a more local variety

2. Understanding your rights and responsibilities when dealing with a labor union organization

3. Seeking professional help when dealing with a labor union organization whenever possible

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get information about the labor union groups with which you are dealing

It's important to know as much as you can about the labor union that is organizing your employees or any outside labor union with which you have to work.

I recommend: Unionism.com has an extensive list of international labor unions and domestic labor unions with links to their various websites. The American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) website also lists affiliated unions, covering everything from pilots to education union organizations.

Know your rights

Know what you can and can't do when dealing with a labor union organization.

I recommend: The place to start is the National Labor Relations Board website, which gives extensive information about employer rights and responsibilities when dealing with labor unions. There are many sites on the web that tell you how to best practice union avoidance within the law if this is a concern. One of the most extensive is the National Alliance for Worker and Employer Rights. A more pro-labor union site is run by the AFL-CIO, the largest collection of affiliated unions in North America.

Seek professional help

When dealing with a union, whether an international labor union or a local trade union organization, professional representation can be very important.

I recommend: Findlaw.com has an extensive list of labor lawyers available for employers, classified by location. Attorneys.com is another good resource for finding labor attorneys. If interested in labor arbitration, the Labor Arbitration Institute offers good information about this growing field.

In dealing with unions for infrastructure needs, more information is better

When you are negotiating a construction or other infrastructure need, the more you know about the union, the easier it will be.

I recommend: Look to the Laborers International Union of North America site for information about one of the biggest construction unions in North America. The Associated Builders and Contractors site can also help in this regard.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't panic if confronted with a labor union organization. Take the time to learn about it.
• •  Give yourself a basic understanding of labor law and your rights as an employer by doing thorough research.