Click the questions below for the answers.

During a home visit, an organizer told me that I HAVE to tell the Union how I am going to vote. Is that true?

No. You don't have to tell anyone how you intend to vote. The vote is 100% secret.

Can Banner Health communicate with us about the union?

Yes we can, and we suggest you look to us to provide you with all of the facts about what having a union would really be like at your location. You should also know that while a union is allowed to make promises about what would happen if they win, we cannot - and will not - make promises about what will happen if the union loses. The law prohibits companies like ours from making promises, even though the union is allowed to promise - and even mislead employees under the law!

If I signed a union authorization card, does that mean I must vote for the union in the election?

No. Your vote is not controlled by any past actions, promises, pledges or signatures, you are free to vote any way you wish. Even if you signed a card, you can still vote NO.

Are all union members required to pay dues?

If the union wins, you can expect they will insist on a "dues check-off clause" in the contract, which means that union dues will be automatically deducted from employees' paychecks - just like taxes.

How does the collective bargaining process work?

If our health care system becomes unionized, the employer would be required to meet with the union and discuss things in good faith in an attempt to reach agreement on a contract. The law does not require that the employer agree to any union demands that it does not believe are in its best interests. The process of bargaining is sometimes lengthy and occasionally, despite good faith efforts, the parties cannot come to agreement.

What happens if the employer and the union are unable to come to an agreement?

If our negotiators can't come to an agreement with the union, the union can either keep on bargaining, give up, or call an economic strike to try to persuade our health care system to change its positions.

What is the effect of a strike on employees?

It is our hope that we would not have a unionized work force and never face the possibility of a strike. For businesses that are involved in an economic strike, the striking employees:

• Would not get regular paychecks from Banner Health for as long as the strike lasts.
• Have to pay for all their insurance (medical, disability, life, etc.).
• Can be permanently replaced as permitted by law.

If a union is elected, will everyone be forced to join even if they did not want or vote for the union?

If a union is elected, it will be speaking for all employees in the bargaining unit as a group, regardless of how an individual employee voted. The union will make it a priority to get a "union security" provision in a contract which forces all employees to pay money to the union or lose their job. If there's such a provision and you fail to pay the union, the union would cause you to be fired. The union will also want a "dues check-off" provision in a contract, which means that dues are automatically deducted from employees' paychecks.

We think it's fair to ask, if the union badly wants a union security and a check-off clause, what does the union have to sacrifice in order to get these things? The answer is everything you now enjoy. Remember, if a union is voted in it speaks for and binds everyone, like it or not, good deal or bad.

I've been told by union supporters to keep quiet if I'm opposed to being unionized? I want to stay out of it. Should I?

We don't think so. You are involved. The results will affect you and Banner Health for a long time. Don't be intimidated. Speak up. You have the same right to express yourself on this important issue as the people who are in favor of the union. While it may seem as though you are alone at first, there will be others in the group who agree with you.

Is it important that I actually vote even if I don't want the union?

Be sure to vote at the election and encourage others to do the same. Remember, the election will be decided by a majority of those actually voting. Everyone will be bound by the result, whether they vote or not.

The union seems to have my home address. How did that happen?

Unfortunately, Federal law requires that an employer give the NLRB a list of names and addresses of employees eligible to vote in the election. Banner Health has always treated this information as personal and confidential, but we had no choice but to comply with this law. The NLRB then gives this list to the union.