The union difference: advantages of having a labor union
Unions vary in size and membership, however, the basic benefits of union membership remain consistent.
Know Your Rights
Federal law guarantees many in the US the right to organize their workplace. However, the reality of at-will employment for many makes things more complicated.
From your Weingarten Rights to annual financial disclosures, there's a mess of legal processes out there that can seem overwhelming at first. So let's take it one step at a time.
Privacy FAQ for workers forming unions
Anxieties over being too public with union activities are bound to come up, so here’s a rundown on a few aspects of the process to know when it comes to privacy.
Decertification: the end of your union and how to prevent it
Decertification is a process through which members of a union recognized by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) vote to dissolve that labor organization.
Know your history: U.S. labor laws and unions
If you’re reading this on your lunch break, day off, or at the end of an 8-hour shift, it’s thanks to the countless sacrifices of labor organizers of decades past who fought to make such expectations at any given job commonplace.
Common anti-union arguments, debunked
Let’s bust some common union-busting refrains.
Right-to-work and union (in)security
Union dues were national news during the Janus v AFSCME Supreme Court case in 2018. The plaintiff was funded in part by the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation - an explicitly anti-union policy group. So what exactly is “right-to-work” and why does it matter to the labor movement?
Employer retaliation: getting fired for unionizing
Federal law guarantees you the right to organize your workplace. However, the reality of at-will employment for non-union staff makes things more complicated.
Breaking down the LMRDA, union bill of rights, and compliance
Paperwork may not be the most exciting aspect of organizing, but keeping on top of it is essential.
Who’s running my union?
Let's talk about union officers, and how they help keep your union running smoothly.
Company transitions: what happens when my company merges or moves?
When ownership changes hands or companies decide to move, the status of a Collective Bargaining Agreement and recognition of your union can be thrown into limbo.
Union democracy: who controls my union?
There are a lot of ways in which joining a
The skill trap: how the myth of “unskilled labor” divides workers
Let’s take a critical look at what “use” comes from applying labels like “skilled” and “unskilled” and why someone might not want you to think about that at all.
Safety in numbers: how unions save workers
Because most Americans lack the protection of a strong union, American workers are losing out when fighting for occupational safety and it’s costing them more than just wages.
Should my union affiliate?
While there certainly are benefits to forming an independent union, you don’t have to go it alone. Joining an affiliated union can bring myriad benefits to you and your coworkers.
What is the PRO Act?
How labor unions operate largely rests on laws that are older than most Americans. Here, we break down exactly what the PRO Act seeks to do, who supports the bill, and where it goes from here.
Understanding eligibility history: why certain workers were excluded from the NLRA
Understanding these arguments will teach us about certain commonly held views on labor issues and help us empathize with excluded workers.
A brief history of union-busting
It’s a tale nearly as old as capitalism: union-busting. For the past 150 years, U.S. employers have been waging a subtle — and not-so-subtle — war against workers through union-busting efforts.
Case in point: 10 important SCOTUS rulings on U.S. labor law
No one expects you to comb through the decades of annual reports put out by the NLRB, but with the help of Unit’s legal advisor, we’ve put together a brief rundown of 10 crucial SCOTUS rulings.
Just a click away: social media, organizing, and surveillance
As social media has become all but ubiquitous, workers and
Know your law firms: key anti-union players
Nowadays, when management wants to break up a union, there are law firms that specialize in helping them. Here are a few of them.
What's union neutrality?
Union neutrality is a promise made by management not to interfere during an organizing drive. It typically creates a more collaborative, less expensive, and less time-consuming unionizing process and negotiations.
Are unions legal in all states?
Yes! The right to organize a union is protected by federal law. States can't take your right to form a union away and employers can't make you sign it away.
When should our campaign go public?
There are a few key pieces of prep work that will help you launch a successful public campaign. Here are three must-haves before going public: