By Tamara Aschenbrenner, Communications Staff
Employers hate when workers realize their power. The moment we start organizing, they can go from friendly to ruthless, using every underhanded tactic to keep us divided, exhausted, and afraid.
“They’ll threaten, manipulate, and stall,” says Bonnie Gostola, AUPE vice-president. “But every move they make only proves why we need to stand together.”
Their playbook is predictable, and when we expose it, we win. Here’s how to recognize their tricks and fight back harder than ever.
Tactic #1: Divide and Distract
A divided workforce is a weak workforce, and bosses know it. They pit workers and departments against each other and offer special treatment to a select few, hoping to breed resentment and prevent workers from seeing their common interests.
How to fight back: Shut down division before it takes hold. “Start building solidarity across job roles, seniority, and departments now,” says Gostola. “Reinforce the idea that no one wins unless we all do.” We must all stay focused on the bigger battle.
“They’ll threaten, manipulate, and stall. But every move they make only proves why we need to stand together.”
Tactic #2: Misinformation and Propaganda
When employers start losing control, they start spreading lies. They’ll claim the union is only after workers’ money, that striking means permanent job loss, or that no union can really protect you. Suddenly, mandatory meetings are filled with their anti-union agenda.
How to fight back: Keep communication open and fact-check management’s claims. “And remind workers that AUPE is them—not some outside force,” says Gostola. The more people understand their rights, the weaker management’s propaganda becomes.
Tactic #3: Fear and Intimidation
Management knows that fear is a powerful tool. When they feel threatened by worker power, they start using scare tactics like sudden policy changes, surprise write-ups, and closed-door meetings where they “just want to chat.” They hint at layoffs, discipline union activists, or claim that standing up for better conditions could cost workers their jobs. They want us to be too afraid to step up.
How to fight back: Knowledge is power. Know your rights, and make sure coworkers do too. A strong, vocal membership makes it harder for the employer to single out individual workers. “You should document everything, report intimidation to AUPE, and stand together,” says Gostola. “Retaliation against union activity is illegal.”
“Real gains come from collective bargaining, not sudden acts of employer generosity.”
Tactic #4: Stall and Exhaust
Ever feel like bargaining goes in circles? That’s no accident. Employers delay bargaining, ignore grievances, and drown us in paperwork because they think we’ll get tired, give up, and accept less than they deserve. They’ll try to outlast us.
How to fight back: Stay engaged and don’t let frustration turn into inaction. “Track deadlines, expose stalling tactics, and increase pressure with direct workplace actions if needed,” says Gostola. The longer they delay, the louder we get.
Tactic #5: Fake Generosity
Nice! The boss “miraculously” found money for small raises or made minor policy improvements. That means we can step off the gas, right? Wrong. They hope this will be enough to convince people that fighting isn’t necessary.
How to fight back: Take the win, but don’t stop pushing. “Real gains come from collective bargaining, not sudden acts of employer generosity,” says Gostola. Keep organizing for long-term improvements, not short-term distractions.
Stay Loud, Stay Strong
Management will always try to out-maneuver us, but every one of their tricks is a sign that they’re scared. They know that when workers stand together, we are unstoppable.
We don’t back down. We don’t give in.
We fight, we win, and we change the game—for good.
