Signing a union authorization card has legal consequences. For unions, obtaining signed authorization cards is an initial step in a union organizing campaign. The union may send all the signed union cards to MTU in order to prove that a majority of the group signed union cards. MTU would not have to bargain with the union if the union demands recognition on the basis of signed authorization cards from a majority of the employee group. The University could request that MERC conduct a free, secret ballot.
Employees are free to vote as they wish at the time of an election.