New Brunswick: The five steps to local certification

1. Workers contact the union and meet with a union organizer.
2. Workers sign cards applying for membership in the union and authorizing the union to represent them in negotiations with their employer. New Brunswick labour law requires CUPE to collect $1 from each worker when they sign a membership card.
3. To obtain certification, there are two possibilities:
   1. If between 40 and 60% of the workers sign membership cards, the New Brunswick Labour and Employment Board (NBLEB) may hold a vote to see if workers want a union. (Go to step 4) OR
   2. If more than 60% of the workers sign membership cards, you are automatically certified. (Go directly to step 5)
4. The NBLEB holds a secret ballot vote. Anyone who is in the bargaining unit the union applied to represent can vote. If the majority (50% +1) of workers who cast ballots vote to unionize, the union is certified.
5. Congrats! The union will serve notice to your employer to begin bargaining your first contract.

The Labour Board keeps information on those who signed union cards confidential. Employers never get to see the cards.

Join CUPE today 
Contact: Maritimeorganizer@cupe.ca