Do Unions Deliver on Their Promises?

When unions attempt to organize a workplace, they make many enticing statements to get workers to vote yes.

Unfortunately, U.S. labor law allows unions to make broad promises, many of which are ultimately unfulfilled or misleading.

But what can they actually deliver? Here’s a reality check on some of the most common promises unions make.

Job Security

Promise: Unions claim to guarantee job security, making workers believe unionized jobs ensure guaranteed employment.

Reality: The truth is more complicated. A union can't guarantee jobs—as seen with Yellow trucking, which shut down after failed contract talks, leaving all workers jobless. Unions may negotiate to make firing harder, but this also shields poor performers, creating more work for others. These protections often frustrate hardworking employees who feel not everyone is doing their fair share.

Result: Some workers have likened union membership to being stuck in a homeowner’s association (HOA)—restrictive, bureaucratic, and frustrating to the point of inefficiency.

Wages and Benefits

Promise: Unions promise better pay and benefits, justifying dues and fees as a small price to pay for these improvements.

Reality: Workers often find the opposite. Union dues can take a sizeable chunk out of paychecks even as consumer costs go up, and promised benefits aren’t guaranteed. Wages might not increase, and better health coverage or pensions depend on contract negotiations. Some unions even push workers into expensive union-run benefit programs, replacing less costly employer-provided plans.

Result: Workers may feel uneasy about the costs of joining a union.   How much of their dues will be used to support political campaigns, pay union leaders salaries, or simply wasted. Many wonder if it's worth the money, especially if the promised benefits don't come through.

Impact of Strikes

Promise: Unions claim striking gives workers a stronger voice and delivers better pay and workplace conditions.

Reality: Strikes are pitched as tools of empowerment, but the reality often brings financial strain and uncertainty. Workers can go without pay for weeks or months during drawn-out negotiations without guaranteeing success. Promises of better wages or benefits can fall short, replaced by frustration as employees feel pressured into actions they may not fully support.

Result: Strikes leave many union members questioning if the sacrifices of striking outweigh the uncertain outcomes, leaving workers burdened with lost wages and unmet expectations.

A Voice at Work

Promise: Unions frequently promise to provide workers with a voice at work.  It is true that unions are empowered to speak on behalf of workers. 

Reality: However, this also means that workers lose some of their ability to speak out for themselves, or to obtain wages, benefits, or hours that fall outside of the constraints of a union contract.  Some workers speak of “a lack of control” once a union takes over.

Result: Workers may feel that their workplace is more rigid, bureaucratic, and controlled by the union.  Union leadership gets a voice in the workplace, but that doesn’t always mean that workers do too.

Social Issues

Promise: Unions promise to champion workers’ views on social issues, claiming to represent their interests on topics like political and societal debates.

Reality: Union-led social politics often clash with the beliefs of rank-and-file members. Many workers feel disconnected from these agendas, seeing them as unrepresentative of their views or workplace needs.

Result: This creates frustration, as workers feel their voices are lost while union leaders push for unrelated social issues.

Bottom Line

For workers seeking fairness, opportunity, and success, the better path may lie in fostering direct relationships with their employers rather than relying on unions to deliver on lofty and unrealistic promises.

After all, in the workplace—just like in life—promises are only as good as the results they produce.

Download the 'promises vs. reality' fact sheet to understand the truth behind union promises. Share this essential information with your friends and colleagues to ensure everyone is informed about the potential impact on wages, benefits, and job security.

About the authors

Glenn Spencer

Spencer oversees the Chamber’s work on immigration, retirement security, traditional labor relations, human trafficking, wage hour and worker safety issues, EEOC matters, and state labor and employment law.

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