While some employers set up mandatory, large-group meetings early in a campaign if they think it can slow or reverse the union's momentum, most of the mandatory, large-scale meetings happen in the last weeks of a campaign. Most of the time, attendance is required. 

The most common format is a speech by the president or owner of the shop. During this anti-union meeting do not expect a free, open discussion or a free-wheeling question and answer period following the presentation. The final captive audience meeting usually takes place in the few days preceding the vote and frequently features a slick video prepared specifically for this audience and this campaign. Sometimes, earlier in the campaign, groups of employees are forced to attend meetings where generic anti-union videos are shown (again without discussion or debate or questions and answers).  

The first captive audience meetings are fairly tame. They will tell you that they think the union is a bad idea for the company. They will try to convince you and your co-workers that, together, management, supervisors and employees can do a lot and bring about real change without the "problems" unions create.

As the campaign progresses, the captive audience meetings become much more intense. The person delivering the anti-union speech is more serious. Everyone is more tense and uptight after weeks and months of the campaign.

Discussions, debate or questions are not welcome. No law requires them! They can ask you to leave if they don't like your comments or behavior. They can force you to leave. They do not have to invite strong union supporters, if they think that you might spoil their presentation.

For the president or owner of the company, this is the climax of the anti-union campaign. He must be serious and in control, unequivocal and unbending in his statement of opposition to the union. Yet he also must be more human, compassionate, trustworthy and believable than he has ever been during the campaign. For, this is the time when, with compelling sincerity, he will ask for "another chance."