1 Union was created with one idea in mind: All workers have the right to organize a union.

Many workers do not know what their rights at work are. We aim to educate workers about their rights, about their right to organize under a union, and to help them stay informed on news that affects working families everywhere.

There are many unions for a verity of industries, but they all share the same vision: Solidarity! We, as workers, are all in this together. We are one. 1 Union!

Your Rights as a Worker

Under U.S. law, all workers have the right to join or form a union. According to the National Labor Relations Act, by law, you have the right to:

• Participate in meetings to discuss joining a union;
• Distribute, read and discuss union literature (in non-work areas during breaks and lunch time);
• Wear union buttons, stickers, t-shirts, and hats to show support for the union;
• Sign a union membership card and demand union recognition;
• Circulate and sign petitions;
• Join together in other activities to protest unfair treatment or demand improvements in wages, hours and working conditions;
• Help organize other employees to support the union, sign union cards, or to file grievances.

The National Labor Relations Act also protects you from unfair treatment by your employer. Under U.S. labor laws, your employer may not:

• Fire or threaten to fire, layoff, discipline, harass, transfer, or reassign an employee because they support the union;
• Favor employees who don’t support the union over those that do in promotions, hours, enforcement of rules or any other conditions;
• Close or threaten to close your place of employment or take away benefits or privileges in order to discourage union activity;
• Promise employees a pay increase, promotion, benefit or special favor if they oppose the union;
• Ask your opinion of the union.

Management can also be responsible if an anti-union employee makes a threat against other workers. This condition of the Act prevents managers and supervisors from using workers to threaten other employees.

A company has the right to make predictions about what will happen if workers vote to unionize, but a prediction can  becomes a threat if it encompasses something that the employer can control. For instance, company management cannot state that a union would cost too much money and force a cut in employees. This would be considered a threat.

Join or Form a Union

If you’d like to learn more about joining or forming a union, please visit our Become a Union Member section.