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This is a great idea (you should have done it earlier)!
First of all, your concern that you could be fired for trying to form or join a union is understandable.
You're right, however, that it is absolutely illegal to fire an employee for exercising his/her right to form/join a union. The law protecting you is a federal law called the National Labor Relations Act.
But just because it's illegal doesn't mean an employer won't break the law. The difference in your case, however, is that your employer is already unionized. It understands the law and won't have a knee-jerk reaction to the organizing attempt. Also, particularly if you go with the USWA, you're going to have a lot of support from the production workers and their local. They would likely provide you with a lot of support as you organize, including legal support, help keep you out of trouble, and serve as a deterrent to the employer trying to pull anything funny (by taking action if you're fired via a public campaign, filing legal actions, etc.). Under these circumstances, you have a lot going for you.
Again, however, there's no guarantee that the employer won't break the law. In that event, you file an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board. The federal government investigates and decides whether to issue a complaint. In the end, if the government wins its case, you're likely to win reinstatement and full backpay - along with an order against the employer to cease and desist from its unionbusting.
Here's what you should do: contact the production workers' local president and tell him/her that you want to organize. There are two possibilities - you might organize a separate unit with its own contract or the production workers might seek to "clarify" their unit to include the staff people in with them (like at the nearby plant).
In any event, unless the employer voluntarily recognizes your union, you would have to get 1/3 of your fellow staff people (excluding supervisors) to sign a petition seeking representation. This is filed with the NLRB. The NLRB conducts an election. If a majority of those voting say UNION YES!, the employer has to recognize your union and collectively bargain a contract with you.
GOOD LUCK!
I hope this answers some concerns.
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