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Comment by matchbok3 | Hacker News Reader

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> Wikimedia Foundation is asking for an election to ensure everyone actually wants this.

Why? Does recognition entail that every worker is compelled to join the union?

My dad worked for the United States Postal Service for decades. He never joined the union, but he was still legally required to pay union dues, and the union was still legally required to represent him. So at least in some cases, yes, starting a union does affect all employees and practically requires them to "join" even if there's an option to not join on paper.

Wouldn't it be better to join so that you can have a vote in the union operations, including to disband it?

Is not what happened? WWU announced on 28 July that they would file for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board. The announcement also accused the Wikimedia Foundation of being disingenuous in their public communications:

Also on the communication by wales he says he wasn’t happy with the election because people knew who voted for, but he didn’t deny there was some kinda of election?

> This is incorrect. Voluntary recognition, which is what this article is about, means that an election is not done. Wikimedia Foundation is asking for an election to ensure everyone actually wants this.

Misinformation.

Voluntary recognition just means that there isn't a 120 hard fight against union elections to decide if there CAN BE a union.

Dark Horse comics just voluntarily acknowledged their union. After that is union elections, to decide who the union elected is.

Handwavy. Voluntary recognition is just that, voluntary. Opposing is not inherently evil so I'm not sure what this whole thing is even about.

> I'm not sure what this whole thing is even about

The choice to voluntarily recognize the union would remove an obstacle for its creation. Deciding not to, in that context, can be seen as choosing to leave the obstacle in place. That, in turn, can be seen as intended to prevent the union from forming. The union is primarily a means of increasing bargaining power for its members. Therefore, this decision by WMF can be seen as intentionally weakening their employees' bargaining power.

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