Labor Unions: Find a Unionized Job
Take a look at labor unions to find your next job. More than 16 million workers belong to unions. Union members work in almost every kind of job in every industry. Nearly one-half of union members are age 45 and above.
You may already know that many jobs in manufacturing, transportation, and construction are unionized. But jobs in teaching, broadcast, health care, and government are too.
If you work in a job that has a union contract, you are likely to earn significantly more money than in a nonunion job. This is true in nearly all occupations. Overall, union workers earn 26% more than nonunion workers. African-Americans earn 29% more. If you are a woman, you'll earn 31% more. And Latino union workers earn 53% more.
Union workers are more likely to have guaranteed pensions, health care benefits, short-term disability coverage, and life insurance. About 70% of union workers have guaranteed pensions, compared to only about 15% of nonunion employees. And you are about 26% more likely to get health benefits in a union job.
Find a Union Job
To join a union, your job must be with an employer that has a labor contract with a union.
If you are looking for a job, inquire with employers where unions exist. If such an employer hires you, the union contract covers the work agreements between the employees and the employer. In some states, called "right to work" states, unions must represent all workers, even those who do not pay union dues.
There is no one source for looking for a unionized job. So, here are some ideas for searching:
- Find companies and organizations that have union
contracts.
First, find a union that covers jobs in your field. Then, search the union's Web site for the list of companies it has contracted with. Add these companies to your job search list. If you get interviews, ask about what the union contract covers.
Be aware that company lists on union Web sites do not always include many details on employers. You may still have some research to do. Ask the Career One-Stop Center in your community for help.
- Use online union job banks.
The Web sites of some unions have job banks for jobs in specific industries .
- Attend a labor council meeting in your community. Ask about openings in unionized jobs.
The AFL-CIO is a federation of more than 60 labor unions. Union members hold regular local council meetings. These are open to the public. By attending these meetings, you can meet people who may know of job openings or who can tell you what you need to search for a local unionized job.
Additional Resources
The
Labor Site
Find a union in your field. Many unions advertise job openings on
their Web sites.
AFL-CIO
Learn more about the advantages of working in a unionized job.
Local
Union Movements
Find your local labor council meeting. Go to ask about job
openings.
