Want to Organize a Union?

Unions are organizations of workers who join together to achieve
dignity, respect and fair treatment of their members

Starting a union at your workplace won't be easy, but it's not rocket science either. There are some things you need to know, and some things you need to think about.

• Unions are formed by a majority vote of you and your co-workers. How much support and enthusiasm is there for a union? What are the issues or the reasons why you want to start a union?
• Who is your employer? Is it a big corporation, a government agency, a hospital, or a small franchise like McDonald's?

Different rules apply if you work for a public employer as opposed to a private employer. And most often, different unions represent different kinds of workers.

Council 5 represents people who work for state and local governments, school boards, health care providers and non-profit organizations throughout the state of Minnesota

But even if you are not in this area, or not a public worker, we can still help you out by steering you to the right people.

If you want more information, call us or e-mail us and someone from our office will contact you. We will respect your privacy. Anything you tell us will be kept between us.

Talk to an Organizer: 

Eric Lehto, 218-726-9610
Organizing Director

Jeff Sabin, 218-726-9612
Lead Organizer

Alan Kearney, 651-287-0594
Lead Organizer

Thom Boik, 651-287-0573
Erika Dinkel-Smith, 651-287-0596
Andy Hamerlinck, 651-287-0576
Ryan Hanson, 651-287-0588
Marybeth Juetten, 218-726-9611
Adrienne Kern, 218-726-9613
Beth Walters, 651-287-0595

Click here to read about the Union Wage Advantage!