Labor unions are all the rage. In fact, petitions for union representation elections have doubled since 2021, according to data from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and for good reason. 

Who wouldn’t want to be a part of an organized group that supports and protects their rights, fights pay discrimination, negotiates on their behalf, and provides top-notch benefits like healthcare coverage and a pension?

They even offer some of the highest-paying trade jobs out there. One of the union electricians we interviewed at the IBEW's International Women's Conference was making a whopping $117.55 an hour in her 5th year of apprenticeship!

Union jobs aren’t only for blue-collar workers, though. Union workers exist across a wide range of industries, including healthcare, education, technology, entertainment, public service, and more. Several high-paying government jobs also have a strong union presence.

Everyone has the right to join or form a union, regardless of whether or not their employer formally recognizes them. The problem is that it can be confusing to know where to start.

Key points:

• More workers are seeking union membership for protections like fair pay, healthcare, pensions, and advocacy against discrimination.
• From skilled trades to healthcare, technology, and public service, unions offer opportunities across a wide variety of industries, with some roles paying over $100/hour.
• Workers have the option to either join a local union, work at a company affiliated with a union, or form a union at their current job.
• Employers can’t legally make unionization threats when workers are attempting to form a union.

How to Join a Union

There are a few ways to join a union – join a local union chapter or one that fits your profession, form a union at your workplace, or get a job at a company affiliated with a union.

The first option involves joining a local union through trade union apprenticeships. This can be done by either going to a local union hall of your choice, depending on the type of work you want to do, or by visiting their website to learn how to submit an application. For example, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union has a total of 831 local chapters in the U.S. and Canada. If you don’t know what local unions are available to you or what union you want to join, Google “local unions in my city”.

If you’re an experienced trade worker, it’s possible to bypass the apprenticeship process by contacting a local union and inquiring about journeyman or lateral entry programs.

If you work in other industries such as healthcare or technology, identify a union that’s right for your profession and speak to a union organizer. The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is a great resource to find a union to join using their list of affiliated unions.

The third option is applying directly to companies affiliated with unions. For example, let’s say you aren’t an electrician and don’t want to become one. Maybe you work in IT and think a union wouldn’t fly with most companies in your field, but think again. 

There are several unions that represent tech workers, such as the Communication Workers of America (CWA) union, which has a growing presence at big-name tech companies like Google, and the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) union. 

Regardless of what industry you work in, look up unions that represent those in your profession and find a union organizer to help you through the process.

How to Form a Union

If your current job happens to be non-union, you can form one, but you’ll need support from your fellow coworkers. That’s where unionizing starts.

There are two ways to go about this. You can either form a union through an NLRB election, or take the voluntary recognition route, which involves asking your employer to recognize the union. These agreements are made outside the NLRB process until the voluntary recognition has been granted. After that, the employer or the union may notify the NLRB Regional Office with their decision.

Both routes start with contacting a union organizer. When getting voluntary recognition, you’ll need to get a majority of your coworkers to sign union authorization cards before trying to persuade your employer. When going through the NLRB, you’ll need at least 30% of coworkers to sign union authorization cards before filing a petition for union election with the NLRB. 

An NLRB agent will be there to help you through the process by setting up a date, time, and place of the secret ballot election, a voting method in which voters’ identities remain anonymous. Elections can be in-person, by mail, or both. When the union receives the majority of votes, the NLRB then certifies the union as the exclusive collective-bargaining representative.

What about union busting?

Employers may have mixed reactions to their employees’ attempt at unionizing. If your employer decides to fight back through the form of union-busting, there are many workers who have been there and done that. Thankfully, they put together a helpful union-busting playbook with real stories of how they beat them.

The good news is that manager unionization threats are now illegal! The NLRB ruled in November of 2024 that employers can no longer tell workers that unionizing will harm their relationship with management.

Next Steps

For those ready to join or form a union, remember to stay informed, be patient, and seek support from experienced union organizers – they’re invaluable guides through the process.

Look up union-specific job boards, such as Union Hiring Hall or on local union chapter websites, and don’t hesitate to contact union representatives to learn more about entry programs or apprenticeships. 

That wraps it up for this week. Until next time, stay awesome, stay strong, and keep advocating for yourself no matter what! I’m Daniella, a writer, engineer, and creator of I Like to Dabble and Remote Work Bestie - my blog and podcast for leveling up your money, career, and side hustles. I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the Salary Transparent Street blog (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Linkedin, and Twitter. Chat soon!

If this guide helps you land a higher-paying job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@salarytransparentstreet.com

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