A Crucial Labor Day for Unions – Remember Why This Matters
As we near Labor Day 2025, U.S. Labor Unions continue to enjoy strong public support with a 68% favorable rating (Gallup, 2025). With high approval numbers remaining steady over the past few years, you’d think it would be obvious that what benefits workers also benefits all American families. If only it were that simple.
As you enjoy time with your family this Labor Day weekend, here are some additional insights from the recent Gallup poll.
- 68% of Americans Approve of Organized Labor (same as last year).
- All time high public approval was 74% in 1957
- All time low public approval rating was 48% in 2009
- 15% of the U.S. population lives in a union household
- 13% of all employed people are union members
Private Sector Labor Wins this Summer
On the private sector front, positive momentum continues, even in regions traditionally less organized. Workers at Ford’s new EV battery factory in Kentucky are voting on unionization, indicating that union efforts are gaining ground in the South. Meanwhile, at JPMorgan Chase, employees across data, engineering, and other roles are rallying around a union campaign sparked by concerns over reduced DEI programs, inflexible in-office mandates, and well-being; highlighting the significance of workplace culture in organizing activities.
Other Wins:
United Auto Workers (UAW): On August 28, the UAW confirmed a narrow majority vote at a joint-venture battery plant in Glendale, Kentucky, a critical step in the union’s expansion into the electric vehicle industry in the U.S. South. However, the result was contested due to a number of challenged ballots. More to come.
American Postal Workers Union (APWU):
- Tentative Agreement: In June, the APWU and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) reached a tentative agreement on a new contract. The deal includes significant wage increases, accelerated cash payments, and enhanced paid time off.
- Arbitration Award: In August, the APWU announced a major arbitration win that protects Maintenance Craft employees in “pending qualification” status.
California UFCW: More than 45,000 members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union reached a tentative agreement in July with grocery chains like Albertsons, Ralphs, and Vons. The deal includes better retirement benefits, staffing levels, and wage increases.
Transport Workers Union (TWU): In July, Conrail rail workers in Detroit, Philadelphia, and New Jersey ratified a new five-year contract that includes a 17.5% wage increase and better benefits.
United Steelworkers (USW): The summer 2025 issue of the USW’s magazine highlighted a contract win for over 1,500 members at the school bus factory in Fort Valley, Georgia. The new agreement secures higher wages, expanded benefits, and job security.
News Guild (CWA) City Bureau workers: Staffers at the nonprofit newsroom in Chicago secured voluntary union recognition in August. They had unanimously signed union authorization cards and are now focused on negotiating their first contract.
Emerging industries are also adopting new models: the video game sector has formed United Videogame Workers (UVW), a direct-join union that bypasses traditional legal channels amid increasing labor uncertainty in tech.
Labor organizing tactics are evolving as well. The practice of “salting,” where workers join companies with the specific goal of sparking internal union efforts, is proving effective, especially among Gen Z activists at Starbucks and beyond.
Yet, significant threats loom. Rail unions are raising concerns about a large, proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, warning that consolidation could weaken safety and bargaining power. At the same time, labor opposes industry plans to replace human rail inspections with automated systems, arguing that many risks remain unseen without manual oversight.
Meanwhile, union-friendly states are increasingly taking action by enacting policies to strengthen worker protections, expand rights, and hold companies accountable for wage theft and misclassification.
How Unions Can Strengthen Their Position
- Leverage progressive state-level wins. With federal protections under threat, labor must continue to strengthen collaboration with supportive state governments to defend and expand worker rights through legislative and enforcement efforts.
- Champion bold national legislation. The re-introduced PRO Act, initially proposed in 2021, aims to modernize labor law by increasing penalties for anti-union actions and giving workers more freedom to organize. Unions can continue to rally public and political support for this effort.
- Embrace new organizing strategies. Direct joining models like UVW and salting tactics offer alternative ways to build power outside traditional NLRB frameworks.
- Engage workers across the economy. From EV manufacturing to banking to gig work, labor must expand organizing efforts beyond traditional sectors by meeting workers where they are. Tools like UnionTrack ENGAGE do exactly that.
- Form broader alliances. By collaborating with community groups, racial justice advocates, and other progressive movements, unions can strengthen their message and garner more support, a strategy suggested by the May Day mobilizations.
- Fight back legally and politically. While courts are temporarily providing critical relief for federal workers, this battle must endure throughout the entire presidential term. Labor also needs to continue mobilizing public opinion and political pressure to strengthen collective bargaining rights.
Looking Ahead to Labor Day
Labor Day 2025 marks a crucial moment for the U.S. labor movement. Unions are experiencing a decade of high approval ratings but must still contend with hostile corporate policies and executive resistance, prompting them to adopt new technologies and methods for organizing and mobilizing.
As the union movement enters its next phase, its success will be judged not only by statistics but also by its ability to expand into new areas, defend existing rights, and elevate the voices of working Americans across the country.
The team at UnionTrack salutes our brothers and sisters in Labor and will keep fighting with them every day to protect these basic rights.
