Labor Movement

It's impossible to cover every win and influence the labor movement has had in the United States in one article. But 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. Articles in this section cover the history of the labor movement, its imperfections, and its efforts to better the livelihoods of American workers.
What is a labor union?

What is a labor union?

As union membership has declined in recent years, misconceptions around collective bargaining have grown. Maybe we’re biased, but just because unions aren’t as intense as they’re portrayed on TV doesn’t mean the work they do is any less exciting. So what exactly is a labor union?
3 min read
Private vs. public unions

Private vs. public unions

If you’re planning to organize your workplace, it’s crucial to understand how unions and the laws that govern them differ from sector to sector.
3 min read
Know your history: U.S. labor laws and unions

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.
4 min read
Right-to-work and union (in)security

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?
5 min read
Organizing to solve a workplace issue

Organizing to solve a workplace issue

It’s likely that your coworkers might be dealing with the same or similar issue, and even if they’re not, they may be willing to throw their support behind a fellow coworker (like you).
3 min read
3 industries that are new to unionizing

3 industries that are new to unionizing

Though public sector occupations have the highest union membership rates among all occupations, there’s a trend going on in sectors that have typically shied away from unions.
4 min read
Unions and the political landscape

Unions and the political landscape

Unions and democracies have a lot in common as each are systems that make decisions based on the majority opinions of the people they serve.
5 min read
What is the PRO Act?

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.
4 min read
A brief history of union-busting

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.
4 min read
What’s a guild?

What’s a guild?

There are many modern organizations that may refer to themselves
8 min read
A day in the life of a union organizer

A day in the life of a union organizer

Though the unpredictable nature of people and politics means that strategies and plans change rapidly, there are some standard tools in every organizer’s kit.
7 min read
Hosting a pro-union event for friends

Hosting a pro-union event for friends

We often walk on political eggshells when it comes time to break bread with friends and family, but there is no better an advocate to inform and galvanize support for the cause than someone who is known and trusted.
3 min read