Home < Policies, Employee & Labor Relations < Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining < Background on Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining at the University < The Representation Election Process
An employee organization may become the exclusive representative for the employees of an appropriate unit by petitioning PERB for certification as an exclusive representative. If the petition for certification is accompanied by proof of at least a 30 percent showing of interest on the part of unit employees, a representation election will be conducted by PERB to allow eligible employees to select either "no representation" or the petitioning union(s). "No representation" means no exclusive representation. If "no representation" is selected by the majority of voters, unit employees would continue to have the same rights to representation they currently enjoy, that is, the right to choose to be represented by any union or individual, and their terms and conditions of employment would be as provided under University personnel programs and policies applicable to non-exclusively represented employees. If the petitioning union is selected, wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment for unit employees would be collectively bargained by the union and the University. The outcome of the election for representation or no representation is determined by a majority vote of the employees who VOTE in the election regardless of the size of the bargaining unit. Just as with a US national election, low voter turnout can have a significant impact. If less than a majority of eligible voters vote, the choice is made by less than a majority of the employees in the unit.