What is a Labor Union?
A labor union is an organization of workers dedicated to representing employees in collective negotiations with management concerning pay, benefits, and working conditions. This collective bargaining process involves union representatives negotiating terms that must be approved via a vote by the full membership.
Key Takeaways
- Labor unions advocate for collective worker interests, negotiating better wages and working conditions.
- Modern unions often consist of local chapters under a national organization’s charter.
- U.S. law mandates employers actively negotiate in good faith, though they need not agree to specific terms.
How a Labor Union Works
Labor unions typically maintain a democratic structure, with elected officers making decisions for the members’ benefit. Employees pay dues to the union, which in turn supports their representation and advocacy.
Union membership often centers around specific industries, being prevalent among public sector employees and those in transportation and utilities.
To form a union, a local employee group attains a charter from national-level labor organizations such as the Change to Win Federation (CtW) or the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).
Through repeated negotiations between the union’s bargaining unit and employers, a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is established, stipulating pay scales, benefits, and other employment terms. Once a CBA is signed, changes require union representative approval. However, CBA agreements eventually expire, necessitating renegotiation.
Despite their benefits, labor unions have seen a decline in membership since their peak in the mid-20th century.
Leading Example: The National Education Association (NEA)
The National Education Association (NEA) represents various education professionals, boasting nearly 3 million members, making it the largest U.S. labor union. The NEA works with local and state educational systems to secure fair wages and decent working conditions for its members.
The Historical Role and Evolution of Labor Unions
Labor unions have been pivotal in forging safer working conditions, reasonable working hours, and better pay within the U.S. The labor movement’s origins can be traced back to the establishment of the Federal Society of Journeyman Cordwainers in 1794.
Early unions often excluded marginalized groups, prompting the formation of separate unions. The 1935 National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) established employee rights to strike and negotiate, forming the National Labor Relations Board to enforce these rights.
Decline in Union Influence
Modern legislation and court rulings have weakened unions’ organizing power. Right-to-work laws in 27 states ban contracts mandating union membership, further reducing union influence.
In reaction, pro-union legislation like the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act) seeks to simplify union formation and counter right-to-work laws.
State of Labor Unions Today
Union membership in the U.S. peaked in the 1950s but now represents roughly 10% of the workforce, primarily government and public sector jobs. Higher unionization rates are seen in sectors including utilities, transportation and warehousing, educational services, and entertainment industries.
Criticisms and Controversies
Critics argue that mandatory union membership stifles free-market competition and can shield incompetent or violent workers from dismissal. Some call for the expulsion of unions in sectors like policing due to protections that may uphold problematic behaviors.
Historically, some unions have been implicated in organized criminal activities, further stoking criticisms.
Political Roles and Allyship
Labor unions play a significant political role, endorsing candidates and pushing for occupational safety regulations. The Democratic Party often supports labor causes, while the Republican Party typically supports legislation that limits union power.
Thecore Function of Labor Unions
Labor unions serve to negotiate contracts that dictate employee wages, benefits, and working conditions. Beyond collective bargaining, unions represent individual members in grievances and ensure adherence to contractual terms.
Examples of Prominent Labor Unions
- Trade Unions: Represent workers of specific trades. Example: AFL-CIO.
- Industrial Unions: Represent workers within entire industries. Example: NEA.
Current Union Membership Statistics
As of 2023, approximately 14.4 million U.S. workers, or around 10%, belong to labor unions.
The Bottom Line
Labor unions are essential organizations devoted to securing fair pay, safe working conditions, and better benefits through collective action. They are a foundational element in the history and ongoing battle for workers’ rights in the U.S.
Related Terms: collective bargaining, labor laws, union membership, workers’ rights, trade unions, industrial unions.
References
- Duke University, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. “Social Movements: Labor Movements”.
- American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. “Our Labor History Timeline”.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Union Members Summary: Union Members 2021”, Page 2.
- U.S. Department of Labor. “Definitions”, Select Definitions Relating to Jurisdiction: Labor Organization.
- Change to Win. “About Us”.
- American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. “Our Unions and Allies”.
- Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. “Collective Bargaining”.
- UnionPlus. “How Unions Work”.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Union Members Summary: Union Members 2023”, Page 1.
- National Education Association. “About Us”.
- National Education Association. “Members”.
- History.com. “Labor Movement”.
- Labor Commission on Racial and Economic Justice. “A Brief History of Labor, Race and Solidarity”.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Union Members Summary: Union Members 2021”, Pages 2-3.
- National Labor Relations Board. “National Labor Relations Act”.
- National Conference of State Legislatures. “Right-To-Work Resources”.
- Supreme Court of the United States. “Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees”.
- U.S. Congress. “H.R.842 - Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2021: Summary”.
- The New York Times. “House Passes Labor Rights Expansion, but Senate Chances Are Slim”.
- U.S. Department of the Treasury. “Labor Unions and the U.S. Economy”.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Union Members Summary: Union Members 2023”, Page 1.
- University of Pennsylvania Law Review. “Police Disciplinary Appeals”, Pages 545-546.
- California Policy Center. “Why Teachers Unions are the Worst of the Worst”.
- University of Pennsylvania Law Review. “Police Disciplinary Appeals”, Pages 569, 571-572.
- The New Yorker. “How Police Unions Enable and Conceal Abuses of Power”.
- American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. “AFL-CIO General Board Recommends Police Reform, Calls for Defense Secretary, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff and President of Minneapolis Police Union to Resign”.
- U.S. Department of Justice. “Infiltrated Labor Unions”.
- Democratic Party. “2020 Democratic Party Platform”, Pages 14-15.
- L.A. Times. “Union Leader Tells Republican Convention Why Cops Back Trump”.
- The New York Times. “When Republicans and Unions Got Along”.
