In the United States, conventional wisdom among many union organizers is that the style of organizing campaign waged has a significant impact on both the probability of getting a first contract and the quality of the contract. Yet, little academic research been done to either support or challenge this claim. Based on the scarce scholarship that does exist, the card-check process appears to increase the odds of union certification and the likelihood that the union will get a first contract. However, our review of a limited number of successful union organizing cases suggests that the key variable in gaining certification and ultimately a first contract rests on the ability of the union to leverage power and to do so in a timely manner.