• It’s easy to forget that unions fought for many of the protections we take for granted in today’s workplaces: the minimum wage, the eight-hour work day, child labor laws, health and safety standards, and even the weekend. Today, unions across the country are still on the frontlines advocating for basic workplace reforms like increases in the minimum wage and mandatory paid sick leave. Studies show that a large union presence in an industry or region can raise wages even for non-union workers. (1)
• Unions are the only avenue for workers to have a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Without a collective bargaining agreement, employees have almost no rights in U.S. workplaces. Collective bargaining agreements are legally enforceable contracts holding employers and employees to mutually agreed-to workplace rules and processes. They are intended to provide a fair and just workplace by clarifying and outlining clear expectations for employees. (3)
• Unions promote and protect the interests of all employees, dues-paying and non-dues-paying alike. They collectively bargain with employers to secure written agreements for employees about pay, benefits, and working conditions. Unions represent employees in disciplinary processes, lobby for laws and regulations that protect working families at all levels of government, and offer a range of member services to help employees outside of the workplace. (2)
1 Katz, H.C., Kochan, T.A., & Colvin, A.J.S. (2008). An Introduction to Collective Bargaining & Industrial Relations (3rd ed.) York: McGraw-Hill.
3 A person cannot be fired for a reason that is protected under the law, like discrimination, but the process and determination comes long after someone was fired.