What is a union?

A union is a group of workers who join together to advocate for improvements at the workplace and around issues that concern them. By acting collectively, workers have a more powerful voice when approaching their employer about the changes they want. 

Unions are the principal means for workers to organize and protect their rights on the job. The union contract or “collective bargaining agreement” establishes the basic terms and conditions of work.  Unions give workers a voice with employers and provide a means to gain a measure of security and dignity on the job. Most unions maintain a paid professional staff to manage their activities.  

Unions pursue strategies and activities that serve the interests of their members. These include representing members and negotiating with employers, recruiting new members and engaging in political action when necessary to support policies that improve working conditions for all workers. 

A collective bargaining agreement, often referred to as a union contract, is a written contract between an employer and a union that represents a group of employees (bargaining unit) in a workplace. It typically addresses wages, benefits such as health insurance and paid sick days and vacation, health and safety issues, “just cause” protections from arbitrary discipline and other workplace issues. 

The union and management negotiate over wages and benefits, hours and working conditions. It is the job of the union to enforce the contract on behalf of the members. 

Workers formed unions so that they could have some say over wages, hours, working conditions, and the many other problems that arise in the relationship between a worker and employer.  Unions are important because they help set the standards for education, skill levels, wages, working conditions, and quality of life for workers. Union-negotiated wages and benefits are generally superior to what non-union workers receive. 

Unions also work to establish laws improving job conditions for their members through legislation at the national, state and local level.  This ultimately benefits all workers.  The 8-hour work day is an example of a positive change won by unions that affects everyone.