The labor movement has historically provided U.S. workers with reliable pathways into good, middle-class jobs. Labor unions improve economic outcomes for workers primarily through collective bargaining, which is a process of negotiation between employers and workers that promotes democratic workplaces.

With nearly 800,000 members, unions continue to play an important role in communities across Illinois. Teachers, police officers, firefighters, construction workers, registered nurses, and delivery drivers all have high unionization rates in Illinois.

Union membership, however, has gradually declined across America due to the spread of so-called “right-to-work” laws. “Right-to-work” laws allow workers to free ride and take all the services and benefits of collective bargaining – such as higher wages, better health care, and legal representation – without paying anything for them. By restricting the ability of workers to join together and collectively bargain, “right-to-work” laws weaken unions.

“Right-to-work” states have:

Illinois is one of 23 states, and the District of Columbia, with collective bargaining freedom laws. Compared with their counterparts in the 27 states with so-called “right-to-work” laws, the people of Illinois have:

The Workers’ Rights Amendment passed in November 2022 by 17 points with bipartisan support—driven by union members, military veterans, and households with middle-class incomes. The Amendment ensures that workers in Illinois continue to earn middle-class incomes, protects workers’ safety, and prevents future legislation that weakens unions and undermines Illinois’ labor market competitiveness.