Union Issues
Ten Ways Unions Support You and Your Family Every Day
Laws are passed by Congress and signed by the President. But it's the power and persistence of organized labor — workers like you — that bring workplace injustice and inequality to the attention of lawmakers. Unions have always worked to achieve fairness in the workplace for both union and non-union workers.
Here are ten reasons to thank unions for the equal job opportunities you and others enjoy today.
- Fair minimum wage is a battle unions continue to fight for our country's lowest-paid workers.
- Overtime pay is now mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act at the rate of one and one-half times a worker's normal rate for time worked over 40 hours, but it hasn't always been so.
- Employer discrimination is prohibited by Title VII V of the Civil Rights Act. It prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religious, sex and national origin. Sexual harassment is included as a form of sex discrimination.
- Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that provides compensation to employees who suffer injuries and illnesses due to their work.
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act prevents discrimination and promotes employment of older workers based on ability rather than age. With today's workforce of aging Baby Boomers, this issue is more timely than ever.
- Wrongful termination laws protect against being fired for lodging a legal complaint against an employer or bringing an employer's wrongdoing to light as a whistleblower.
- Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in jobs, as well as schools, transportation, and all public and private places open to the general public.
- Equal Pay Acts of 1963 and 2011 require men and women be paid equally for the same amount of work.
- Veteran's Employment and Training Service protects the employment rights of veterans and transitioning service members.
- Workers' right to strike is protected by the National Labor Relations Act.
The collective power of unionized workers have made a difference in union families like yours — and will continue to for years to come.
Want to learn more about labor history? Text HISTORY to 22555, and we’ll send bimonthly labor history updates right to your phone. Msg and data rates May apply. Reply STOP to opt-out.