What are Unions?

Unions are a voice.

People with the same concerns often get together to talk and look for answers. That's exactly what a union is all about. It's working people working together to solve problems, build stronger workplaces and give working families a real voice. Unions stand for fair treatment of all working people - on the job, in our communities and in the economy. 

Many think that unions are limited to bargaining contracts, but that's only the beginning. As the National AFL-CIO Executive Council proclaimed in its 1996 statement of Missions and Goals, "The mission of the AFL-CIO is to improve the lives of working families - to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our nation."

We strive to accomplish that mission through the contracts our unions bargain, but also through political and legislative action and community service. Thus our work benefits all workers, not just union members.

Unions are families.

Our families are shaping our own lives and our nation's life. With the changes in today's economy, balancing work and family can be tough. But today's unions are searching for new ways to adjust to the challenges affecting all members of the family - with ideas like affordable child care, help for senior citizens and family and medical leave for emergencies. By working together to see these ideas become realities, union people are helping to overcome the challenges we face in today's society. 

Unions are working people.

Over the years, we've made this country great, bringing prosperity and growth. From actors to truck drivers to teachers to woodworkers, we have worked to make life better on the job through our unions. Today we're working to make sure that workplaces are safe and jobs are secure. And that makes our communities safe and secure as well.  Safety. In today's modern workplace, it means having the right to know what hazards exist and what precautions to take. And security. With today's economic changes, it means having a voice on issues that will affect an industry and a worker's future. It's not much to ask for...just a common sense approach to safety and security. 

Unions give workers a voice on the job about safety, security, pay, benefits and about the best ways to get the work done. That helps working families, the companies that employ them and the customers who use their products and services. 

Unions give working people a voice in government. They represent working families before lawmakers, and make sure politicians never forget that working families voted them into office. 

Unions are solidarity.

We've all heard a lot about places where personal freedoms have been limited. Using our personal freedoms - speaking out and voicing concerns - is what trade unionism is all about, whether it's in Poland, South Africa or in our own backyard here in the Midwest. In places where freedom is budding, unions are there, fighting to make freedom blossom. When working people join forces to voice their concerns, they are heard.

Unions work for equal treatment and fight discrimination. We continue to fight for justice for women and minorities in collective bargaining as well as in legislation. 


Courtesy Wisconsin State AFL-CIO