Are unions still relevant? Absolutely—unions continue to shape fair wages, work conditions, and job security across North America.
Today, unions are active in both long-established sectors and new industries like tech and the gig economy. Public support for unions is rising, and organizations like Promote Unions make it easy to show your commitment to these values by sourcing exclusively union-made products.
Choosing union-made goods is a direct way to support ethical practices and vibrant communities. Read on to see how unions remain central to workplace fairness and community strength.
Understand the Modern Role of Unions in North America
Unions are not relics. They’re adaptive powerhouses, steering change in North America’s workplaces. Let’s size up how unions work for members right now, and where union influence is growing stronger. We promise, this isn’t a story of decline. Pay attention—union relevance is rising, fast.
Union Power Today: Where It Counts Most
- Public sector dominance: Over a third of US government workers belong to unions. Teachers, emergency responders, and city employees set the bar for dignity and fairness at work.
- New union strongholds: Tech, logistics, and the gig economy are heating up. Think Google contractors, Amazon workers, and app drivers all fighting—and winning—for contracts and voice.
- Resilient in headwinds: Right-to-work laws and globalization tried to sideline unions. Yet, petitions for new union elections surged by 50% in 2022, a sign of momentum, not retreat.
- Public support surging: Gallup polling now shows 68% approval for unions, marking a decades-long high and growing enthusiasm from the next generation.
- Policy pushers: Unions expand member rights on family leave, digital privacy, and workplace flexibility, keeping pace with every major shift.
At Promote Unions, every product tells this story. We offer only union-made goods—over 5000 of them—to help unions reinforce fair labor across North America. You won’t find generic, non-union merchandise here. Our platform sets us apart by making your brand a beacon for decency and solidarity, every time you gear up.
The modern workplace moves quickly, and so do unions. Their fight for fairness is all about adapting and leading.
See Why Workers Continue to Value Union Membership
Union contracts give workers more than a voice—they give real results. If you care about wages, safety, and fairness, here’s what union membership delivers.
Concrete Union Benefits: The Data
Unionized workplaces outperform, period. Let’s compare:
- Wages: Union members make 10–15% more—payslips are bigger, savings accounts grow faster.
- Benefits: Access to health insurance and pensions is robust. Don’t settle for dental plans that only cover the basics.
- Safety: Job sites with union reps see fewer injuries and less wage theft—non-union settings still report up to 34% more of these issues.
- Security: Formal grievance procedures, not just a vague hope for fairness, are standard. No one wants to be at the mercy of management bias.
Unions also set the stage for workplace standards we take for granted: eight-hour days, weekends off, overtime, paid parental leave, anti-discrimination rules, and sick days. These didn’t happen by chance—unions fought for them, and without continued advocacy, nothing stays guaranteed.
Value for a New Generation
Today’s young workers are more pro-union than ever. Seventy-seven percent of people under 34 support unions, but union density in the private sector lags behind. That’s a huge opportunity for organizations determined to close the gap and claim the pay, protections, and pride that union contracts still secure.
Wage gains, real security, safer workplaces: these don’t appear by accident—they show up every time a union contract is in force.
Explore How Unions Benefit Communities, Not Just Members
Unions raise the standard, not only for members but for neighborhoods and industries. When union density goes up, communities reap the rewards—here’s how.
Proven Community Impact
- Better wages for all: States with high union membership are 10–20% more likely to implement higher minimum wages, lifting pay for everyone.
- Health coverage expanded: Strong union areas see greater health insurance access, with employers more likely to provide coverage across the board.
- Equality gains: Union contracts close the wage gap—Black and Latino workers enjoy up to 14% higher earnings than their non-union peers.
- Public policy wins: Union lobbying drives paid sick leave, expanded Medicaid, and family-friendly workplace laws into reality, not just rhetoric.
Unions also help communities prosper. Higher local spending follows union-negotiated pay increases, strengthening local businesses and public life. Union activism also drives social progress by supporting education, safer streets, and stronger public sectors.
Where union contracts are in place, everyone—members or not—sees the bar for good work rise.
Investigate Common Challenges Facing Unions Today
Even as unions fuel positive change, challenges remain. Employer opposition, outdated rules, and shifts in how we work all test union resilience. But adaptation is key.
Barriers and Breakthroughs
Employers fight union drives hard. Over 40% get charged for violating worker rights during organizing campaigns. Right-to-work laws in 27 states cut union power by draining resources, making it even tougher.
Labor law is old. The National Labor Relations Act—over 85 years on the books—doesn’t fit new organizing models or gig work realities. Contract and freelance roles, digital platforms, and surveillance tech all create new hurdles.
But unions aren’t standing still. Many respond with:
- Digital organizing tools to connect gig workers and secure minimum rates.
- Portable benefits campaigns for freelancers and independent contractors.
- More transparent and democratic governance, rebuilding trust after past corruption cases.
Unions are not perfect, but the best ones have evolved. They’re customer-focused, accountable, and transparent. That’s how they keep winning for workers, despite today’s headwinds.
See Real-World Examples of Unions Driving Change
You want proof that unions matter? Look at the headlines. Look at the wins. Across North America, union action delivers tangible change and big results—again and again. This section gives you real cases, real sectors, and the lessons leaders like you can apply.
Major Victories, Lasting Impacts
- Amazon and Starbucks organizing: When frontline workers in retail and warehousing unionized, they locked in higher base pay, more predictable shifts, and more input on safety protocols. Those gains sent shockwaves through entire industries.
- Teacher strikes: Chicago and Los Angeles educators didn’t just win higher salaries. They forced investments in school staffing, reduced class sizes, and put more resources into student well-being.
- Healthcare unions: During the COVID-19 crisis, nurses and techs secured hazard pay, PPE access, and voice in protocols—fueling safer conditions not just for staff, but for patients and communities, too.
- Auto sector standouts: United Auto Workers members walked out and won pay increases as high as 25%. That’s not symbolic. It’s money, security, and respect in black-and-white on a contract.
- Transport and logistics: Public transit unions held the line on service and jobs during economic downturns, proving solidarity means protection on and off the clock.
Union solidarity even drives progress across sectors. Nurses supporting teachers, trades backing retail, and food service workers organizing for COVID protection—these moments show what’s possible when we act together.
Union wins create playbooks that inspire more action, inside your sector and out.
Learn How Union-Made Products Support Ethical Workplaces
Let’s talk about the power of your purchases. Every choice you make—jackets, supplies, custom-branded gear—sends a signal. Union-made products do more than look good; they shape workplace culture by rewarding skilled labor, traceable sourcing, and safety-first standards.
Why Union-Made Matters
- Certainty of standards: Our union-made products are crafted in North America with fair wages, reasonable hours, and independently verified safety—no guessing about conditions.
- Quality features: You get what you pay for—water resistance, thermal linings, reinforced builds, and customizations that hold up for real work. Members notice the difference.
- Transparent supply chain: We connect you to manufacturers and makers whose stories you can stand behind. No shadowy factories or compromises.
- Visible commitment: That union label announces your values. It rallies pride and unity within your ranks and signals to your community that you back good jobs.
- Impact beyond the item: Union purchases build stronger communities. Every dollar supports families, neighborhoods, and skilled trades.
Non-union goods can’t guarantee this. When you buy union, you create ripple effects that last.
Discover the Promote Unions Advantage for Organizations
If you’re responsible for quality, sourcing, and reputation, you need a partner that shares your priorities. That’s what sets Promote Unions apart. We’re built for unions, first and always.
What Makes Us Different
- 5,000+ union-made products, tailored for North American unions. Jackets, vests, office gear, event banners—every item exclusive to union shops.
- Support for American and Canadian jobs. We only resource from certified unionized manufacturers, protecting fair pay and high standards.
- Full customization to reflect your brand. Boost recruitment, celebrate milestones, and show solidarity with gear that members are proud to wear.
- Compliance made simple. You get solutions aligned with union rules, priorities, and values—no confusion, no mixed messages.
- We only do union. No risky mixes or generic goods diluting your message.
Choosing Promote Unions means your purchases always lift up the whole movement. Every order is a step toward stronger solidarity.
Conclusion: Take Action to Support Union Relevance Today
Unions set higher standards, drive community wins, and secure their members’ rights in every major sector. They adapt, modernize, and deliver—despite resistance and new challenges.
When you choose union-made, you fuel that progress. Your support doesn’t just build your reputation. It ensures future victories for your members and workers everywhere.
Explore how you can make every purchase count for fairness, equity, and unity. Back union values every day by choosing union-made at Promote Unions. Together, we keep unions relevant, strong, and growing.
