Stronger Together: What is a Union?
A union is simply workers coming together to improve their working lives. By acting collectively, workers are able to pursue shared goals—such as fair pay, safe working conditions, and respect on the job—that are much harder to achieve alone. Under federal law, workers have the right to form a union, choose their representatives, and bargain collectively with their employer over conditions that affect their livelihoods. These rights help balance the power that employers hold over individual employees and ensure workers are treated fairly and consistently. Once workers form a union, the employer is legally required to bargain in good faith over wages, hours, and working conditions—protections that do not exist for individual workers acting alone. Learn more about the benefits of joining the IUOE.
Organizing with the IUOE
Learn more about organizing and your rights on the job in the United States and in Canada.
Interested in organizing your workplace? Find a local or fill out our contact form to get in touch.
Union FAQs
Are unions still important today? Who runs the union? Find the answers to other frequently asked questions about unions and the labor movement.
Union Myths vs. Facts
There are many stereotypes and common myths about unions. Bust a few of them, like "companies close because of unions."
Unions 101: Key Terminology
Authorization Card. Grievance. Learn some key terms used in the unions and the labor movement.
“Right to Work” is Wrong for Everyone
Backers of so-called “Right to Work” policies claim they’re about free choice. All they really do is harm working families. Learn why “Right to Work" is wrong for everyone.