Representational unit-based teams 

Sometimes large work units decide to organize a representational unit-based team because the number of staff and physicians in the unit could make the UBT unworkable if everyone participated directly. 

In Southern California, for example, large units organize representational UBTs in which each union, classification and shift choose representatives for the team. The number of representatives is decided at the sponsorship planning meetings. Sponsors may decide on the number of representatives per shift or classification depending upon the number of workers in each of those categories.

Union members decide upon the selection process with guidance and approval from their institutional union representatives. One way the team may be selected is to have a union representative or steward ask for volunteers to represent the unit/department, various classifications and shifts. After the representatives have been chosen for the team, the union co-lead is selected by the team's union representatives. 

The UBT comprises the full staff in the unit or department, and the UBT representatives are the group of employees selected to represent the interests and concerns of the larger unit. This allows all employees a role, since everyone is either a UBT member or a UBT representative.

Before choosing representatives, union members may complete a brief training about roles, responsibilities and skills that will support the success of a UBT member so they have the necessary background to choose their representative wisely.

Communication matters

Because the size of a work unit may cause barriers to fully engaging its members in the UBT work of sharing decision making, collaborating and improving performance, one of the significant responsibilities of representational UBTs is to communicate frequently and consistently.