Maryland State Labor Relations Boards
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What Are Elections About?
Unions who show support among employees eligible for
collective bargaining in a given unit may submit petitions for election as
employees' "exclusive representative." Initial elections
always give employees the choice of "no exclusive
representative" on the ballots which are cast in secret. A
union must get a majority of votes cast in order to be certified as
exclusive representative. Repeat elections cannot occur for two
years. The elected representative may then negotiate a contract
(memorandum of understanding, or "MOU" under the statute) with
the college or university on behalf of all employees in the unit. No
employee may be required to join or pay fees to a union under the
law. Also, employees may not strike; employers may not lock out
employees; and neither side may commit unfair labor practices as defined
by the Board. Both sides have a duty to negotiate in good faith on
wages, hours, and conditions of employment.
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