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Unionization Process In The Film Norma Rae

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Formal Steps The unionization process begins by one of three ways, including: initiated by a group or employees of the firm, second, initiated by a national union targeting the firm, or last, companies invite unions to organize their workers. In the film Norma Rae, the second circumstance took place, where a national union targeted the O.P Henley Mill. Ruben, who is a union organizer started the formal process through step one which is identify and recruit employees. He provided communication pieces to the employees. Ruben would stand outside and give pamphlets regarding how a union could assist the employees. He also had flyers on bulletin boards within the organization, although they were being posted in a way that was nearly impossible for one to see. There was communication going around that gathered people to the church, there at the church Ruben told a story of loss, which received the sympathy of the employees. He explained how the union collaborated in support for each other. …show more content…

Two of which included a stretch-out and they used race. Once the company realized the employees were campaigning to start a union they increased workloads while reducing pay, this is known as a stretch-out. White guys jumped an African American man because he was pro union. They put up a letter saying the blacks are going to take over the union, which started physical violence and intimidation. They used racial fear to get the whites and blacks against one another. The letter became a huge factor as Norma was trying to reiterate the letter. She was writing down what the letter stated, and while she was doing so, seven guys stood around her. They kicked her off the premises. She refused to leave willingly. She stood in the factory and held up a sign that said “UNION” the employee stood in solidarity. The machines stopped. She was escorted out of the premises with the sheriff. Norma was taken to jail for disorderly

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