Public employees unsatisfied with their union representation have a new resource to help them take charge and craft a better workplace.

A project of the Freedom Foundation, Empowered-Employees.com launched today to help public servants understand their options when it comes to workplace representation.

Many already know they have a First Amendment right to individually decline union membership and dues, but simply opting out may not be enough to stop the damage caused by an ineffective or harmful union that still retains the exclusive right to represent them and their colleagues.

Often, these unions were certified as their designated representative many years or decades ago, and current employees may never have had a chance to decide questions of union representation for themselves. When incumbent unions fail to deliver, employees can be left feeling trapped, and most have no idea there’s a process to replace or remove an ineffective or counterproductive union.

That’s where Empowered Employees comes in. The new website walks public service employees through three primary pathways to remove a poorly performing union:
 

• Decertification: With a majority vote of employees in a secret-ballot election, a union can be dissolved outright, allowing for direct employer relationships and greater flexibility.
• Forming an independent, local union: Independent unions are self-governing, provide employee control, lower dues, and can be formed by a core group of leaders.
• Disaffiliation: This process lets a local union sever ties with national affiliates, retaining its status and assets, but may face procedural challenges.

Empowered-Employees.com offers clear explanations of each of these processes, as well as the unique benefits and challenges they present.

The site also provides a way to connect public employees interested in these options with the team of experts at the Freedom Foundation to answer questions and help them find the best solution for their workplace.

Empowered Employees can assist with everything from drafting incorporation documents for a new independent union, to preparing and filing the petition to trigger a representation vote, to supporting the campaign to win the election.

The best part? Support from Empowered Employees and the Freedom Foundation is always 100 percent free.

For too long, corporate unions have gone unchallenged and public service workers have suffered as a result. With Empowered-Employees.com, dedicated civil servants can start to turn things around.