Unions 101
What is a union?
Unions are democratically elected bodies dedicated to represent the interests of working people across diverse workplaces. As democratic bodies, unions are centered around a simple proposition: by coming together in solidarity, working women and men gain strength in numbers so they can have a voice at work about what they care about.
When working people organize, we unify our voices to negotiate a contract with our employers for things like a fair and safe workplace, better wages, a secure retirement and family-friendly policies such as paid sick leave and scheduling hours. The more workers who join unions and become actively involved, the more power we have to build a brighter future for all working peoples. When we join together, we can fight back against a rigged system.
How do unions help working people?
Unions don’t just help union members -- they’re good for everyone. Union jobs put a “floor” under wages and benefits for entire industries; raising pay, making good benefits a key part of compensation, and improving working conditions for all workers. Unions provide a voice for all working people in Connecticut, whether they carry a union card or not.
Unions strive to build an economy in which the rewards of economic growth are broadly shared.