New York, NY – Unions continue to provide a critical role for all Americans. Through the years unions have
enabled working conditions for employees to improve. Organized labor has been a critical force for worker pay raises, health insurance, job security and a voice in the employment process.
When unions advocate for those in the workplace, both the represented as well as the underrepresented gain. Without unions workers have no say in how they are treated. There is little recourse for employee abuse. Relying on the good will of an employer doesn’t always work.
Labor unions have a simple democratic structure. Workers hold elections and vote for officers who will make decisions on their behalf. Besides representing members on the job, unions lobby on legislative issues that protect worker rights. All members of the union are required to pay fees to support union expenses and lobbying initiatives. Although there are members who choose not to pay fees for political action or other union activities, they still benefit from the union’s work since their union must represent everyone in that labor organization.
