Labor union what is

There are more than 60 unions representing more than 14 million workers throughout the country. No matter what work you do, there's probably a union that represents your work. The main reasons to join a union are higher pay, better benefits and a voice on the job. As a union member, you have a collective voice regarding things such as: Pay and wages; Work hours, Benefits including but not limited to: retirement plans, health insurance, vacation and sick leave, and tuition reimbursement ; Workplace health and safety, and ways to balance work and family.

Unions work like a democracy. They hold elections for officers who make decisions on behalf of members, giving workers more power on the job. A local may include workers from the same company or region. It may also have workers from the same business sector, employed by different companies. Additionally, unions set the standard. The collective buying power of union members is also used by Union Privilege to negotiate consumer benefit programs for working families.

Union Plus benefits and discounts are for union members and Working America members. Benefits also include unique assistance for workers facing financial hardship due to disability , layoff , strike and more.

Working America defends the interests of working people who do not belong to a union. Since the 19th century , American labor unions have fought to secure rights, protections, and benefits for their members, and since the s, have been strongly aligned with the Democratic Party. Traditionally, labor unions have been most present in industries like manufacturing, transportation, and the public sector.

Overall union membership has sharply declined since the s. Unions facilitate the process of collective bargaining , which allows an organized group of workers to sit down with their employers, address concerns, make demands, and negotiate a legally binding contract to determine their terms of employment, which includes pay, benefits, hours, workplace safety, severance, health care, family leave, diversity, company transparency, and more.

It offers workers a seat at the table, and allows them to directly advocate for themselves and their coworkers. A union also provides workers with guidance, organizational resources, and can offer legal counsel throughout the bargaining process , as well as support and resources after the contract is finalized. Union members select their own officers and representatives and make decisions collectively. So what does it mean to go on strike, and how does the union factor in? A strike is an organized work stoppage that is undertaken by a group of workers as a form of protest or a tactic to pressure their employers into acquiescing to their demands.

That means that, when a union declares a strike, nobody in their membership goes to work until the strike is called off or their demands are met — whichever comes first. A strike is often the result of a breakdown in contract negotiations; when neither side will budge, there are few options left for workers who are determined to win. Sometimes employers will hire outside workers to take the place of striking workers during strike actions. Both strikes and picketing are protected activities under the National Labor Relations Act NLRA , and workers cannot be fired for engaging in either — unless they engage in a wildcat strike.

When workers are taken care of, everyone benefits. The antagonism between business and organized labor is not inevitable. But when employees are considered disposable, businesses can become less interested in protecting them. Employees also may lack someone to intervene on their behalf with management on safety issues when there is no union representation.

When workplaces become organized, the need for cooperation becomes more obvious. Companies recognize that they can take steps to make a stable workforce more safe, productive and effective, through training, better equipment, and making better use of their knowledge. Unions, in turn, increasingly recognize the needs of employers to be responsive to customers and competitive in their markets. In some sectors, having a company story that involves union workers and living wages may be a competitive advantage commercially.

Higher Wages One of the top benefits of being a union worker is that you enjoy a better wage as compared to your non-union counterparts. Union workers are also more likely to enjoy consistent pay raises on a regular basis. This is due to collective bargaining between the union on behalf of the employees and the employer that results in an agreement setting out clear terms regarding pay and wages. With a non-union job, the employer can set the wage without any formal bargaining process or input from the employee.

Better Benefits On average, union workers are more likely to enjoy better benefits compared to non-union employees. That includes health, retirement accounts, and paid sick leave.