A Labor Union Is...

An organization formed by workers who join together and use their strength to have a voice in the workplace. Through unions, workers can negotiate from a position of strength with employers for better wages, better benefits, workplace health and safety, job training, and other work-related issues. Unions also serve an important role in making sure that management acts fairly and treats its workers with respect.

Do Union Workers Get Higher Wages?

Yes! Workers who are union members earn 26% more than non-union workers. The increase is even more for women and people of color. Women and African Americans represented by unions earn between 30 and 33% more than their non-union counterparts. And Latino union workers make 47% more.

Do Union Workers Get Better Benefits?

Yes! Union workers are more likely than their non-union counterparts to have access to health care and pension benefits. 95% of union members have health insurance and retirement plans available. Only 68% of non-union members have health care and only 63% have a pension.

Why Do I Need a Union Now?

Better pay, better benefits and a better workplace are only possible because a majority of your colleagues in your worksite came together with their union. Now it’s your turn. Together, we have won contracts that have brought improvements for everyone who works here, and we aren’t done yet. Together, we negotiate for more respect and dignity on the job and to ensure that workers have a seat at the table so that our voices are heard. That’s the union difference, and that’s why when people have the chance to join the union, they sign up right away.

When we come together in our union, we negotiate with management to get our fair share so we can do our jobs, take care of our families, and serve the public/our clients with dignity.

What is Collective Bargaining and How Does It Work?

Collective bargaining is the negotiations between employees and their employer over wages, working conditions, benefits, and other aspects of workers' compensation and rights.

A committee of our co-workers, elected to the bargaining team by us, sits down and hammers out an agreement known as a "union contract" on every issue of concern to our bargaining unit. The committee sits at the bargaining table as equals with management.

The majority of members must approve the agreement before it can become accepted as a contract.