Union organizer

A union organizer (or union organiser) is a specific type of trade union member (often elected) or an appointed union official. A majority of unions appoint rather than elect their organisers.

In most unions, the organiser's role is to recruit groups of workers under the organizing model. In other unions, the organiser's role is largely that of servicing members and enforcing work rules, similar to the role of a shop steward. In some unions, organisers may also take on industrial/legal roles such as making representations before Fair Work Australia, tribunals, or courts.

In North America, a union organiser is a union representative who "organizes" or unionizes non-union companies or worksites. Organisers primarily exist to assist non-union workers in forming chapters of locals, usually by leading them in their efforts.

Organisers employ various methods to secure recognition by the employer as being a legitimate union, the ultimate goal being a collective bargaining agreement. The methods can be classified as being either top-down organizing or bottom-up organizing.

Top-down organizing focuses on persuading management through salesmanship or pressure tactics. The salesmanship may include offering access to resources such as to a well-trained and skilled supply of labor or access to union cartels. Pressure tactics may include picketing with the intention of embarrassing management or disrupting business, as well as assisting the government in investigating employment law and labor law violations. A strict enforcement of these laws might result in fines and might serve to hurt the violator's chances in a competitive bidding process. Top-down organizing is generally considered easier than bottom-up and is practiced more in the construction industry.

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