{"id":204406,"date":"2021-09-23T05:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T12:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/?post_type=cal_explainers&#038;p=204406"},"modified":"2026-03-27T08:54:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T15:54:43","slug":"california-unions-explained","status":"publish","type":"cal_explainers","link":"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainers\/california-unions-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00bfCu\u00e1l es el papel de los sindicatos en el siglo XXI?"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n\n.sponsorship-block-remove-margin-start{\nmargin-block-start: 0px;\nmargin-top: 0px !important;\n}\n\n.sponsorship-block-remove-margin-end{\nmargin-block-end: 0px;\nmargin-bottom: 0px !important;\n}\n.sponsorship-block-margin-25-bottom{\nmargin-bottom: 25px !important;\n}\n\n.sponsorship-block-margin-50-bottom{\nmargin-bottom: 50px !important;\n}\n\n.sponsorship-block-margin-25-top{\nmargin-top: 25px !important;\n}\n\n.sponsorship-block-margin-50-top{\nmargin-top: 50px !important;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Unions have historically formed to ensure fair wages, benefits and better working conditions for their members. They negotiate with businesses and governments on behalf of employees, who either work a particular type of job or in a particular industry. They\u2019re a powerful force in California politics, pushing for higher statewide minimum wage, increased paid sick time and greater workplace safety in the COVID era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But membership, particularly in the private sector that makes up 85% of the labor force, is at historic lows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, unions represent just 15% of California&#8217;s more than 15 million workers. At the same time, Californians continue to experience the greatest economic inequality in generations \u2014 made worse as the COVID recession dealt the biggest blow to lower- and middle-wage workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Newsom administration says that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.labor.ca.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/338\/2021\/02\/ca-future-of-work-report.pdf#page=7\">unions must be part of the solution for reducing economic inequality<\/a>. But do unions reduce the wage gap? Or do they raise costs on businesses? And why have unions succeeded in organizing the public sector but struggled to gain traction in the private sector?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What is the role of unions in a 21st century economy? And will workers embrace them?<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div class='explainer-card' id='1832ebd0-5b89-45bb-aca9-2400c4a658bf' >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class='explainer-card-title'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href='#1832ebd0-5b89-45bb-aca9-2400c4a658bf'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMembership has been declining for decades\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"social-share'\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-share-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"explainer-social-share email\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"mailto:?subject=Membership%20has%20been%20declining%20for%20decades%20%7C%20What%E2%80%99s%20the%20role%20of%20unions%20in%20the%2021st%20century%3F&amp;body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20at:%20https%3A%2F%2Fcalmatters.org%2F_es%2Fexplainers%2Fcalifornia-unions-explained%2F%231832ebd0-5b89-45bb-aca9-2400c4a658bf\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_top\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Compartir por correo electr\u00f3nico<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M0 0h24v24H0z\" fill=\"none\"\/><path d=\"M20 4H4c-1.1 0-1.99.9-1.99 2L2 18c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h16c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V6c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 14H4V8l8 5 8-5v10zm-8-7L4 6h16l-8 5z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"explainer-social-share twitter\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalmatters.org%2F_es%2Fexplainers%2Fcalifornia-unions-explained%2F%231832ebd0-5b89-45bb-aca9-2400c4a658bf&amp;text=Membership%20has%20been%20declining%20for%20decades%20%7C%20What%E2%80%99s%20the%20role%20of%20unions%20in%20the%2021st%20century%3F\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Compartir en Twitter<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><path d=\"M22.23,5.924c-0.736,0.326-1.527,0.547-2.357,0.646c0.847-0.508,1.498-1.312,1.804-2.27 c-0.793,0.47-1.671,0.812-2.606,0.996C18.324,4.498,17.257,4,16.077,4c-2.266,0-4.103,1.837-4.103,4.103 c0,0.322,0.036,0.635,0.106,0.935C8.67,8.867,5.647,7.234,3.623,4.751C3.27,5.357,3.067,6.062,3.067,6.814 c0,1.424,0.724,2.679,1.825,3.415c-0.673-0.021-1.305-0.206-1.859-0.513c0,0.017,0,0.034,0,0.052c0,1.988,1.414,3.647,3.292,4.023 c-0.344,0.094-0.707,0.144-1.081,0.144c-0.264,0-0.521-0.026-0.772-0.074c0.522,1.63,2.038,2.816,3.833,2.85 c-1.404,1.1-3.174,1.756-5.096,1.756c-0.331,0-0.658-0.019-0.979-0.057c1.816,1.164,3.973,1.843,6.29,1.843 c7.547,0,11.675-6.252,11.675-11.675c0-0.178-0.004-0.355-0.012-0.531C20.985,7.47,21.68,6.747,22.23,5.924z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"explainer-social-share facebook\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcalmatters.org%2F_es%2Fexplainers%2Fcalifornia-unions-explained%2F%231832ebd0-5b89-45bb-aca9-2400c4a658bf\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Compartir en Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li id=\"get-link-1832ebd0-5b89-45bb-aca9-2400c4a658bf\" class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='explainer-embed-code-container copy-link'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M172.5 131.1C228.1 75.51 320.5 75.51 376.1 131.1C426.1 181.1 433.5 260.8 392.4 318.3L391.3 319.9C381 334.2 361 337.6 346.7 327.3C332.3 317 328.9 297 339.2 282.7L340.3 281.1C363.2 249 359.6 205.1 331.7 177.2C300.3 145.8 249.2 145.8 217.7 177.2L105.5 289.5C73.99 320.1 73.99 372 105.5 403.5C133.3 431.4 177.3 435 209.3 412.1L210.9 410.1C225.3 400.7 245.3 404 255.5 418.4C265.8 432.8 262.5 452.8 248.1 463.1L246.5 464.2C188.1 505.3 110.2 498.7 60.21 448.8C3.741 392.3 3.741 300.7 60.21 244.3L172.5 131.1zM467.5 380C411 436.5 319.5 436.5 263 380C213 330 206.5 251.2 247.6 193.7L248.7 192.1C258.1 177.8 278.1 174.4 293.3 184.7C307.7 194.1 311.1 214.1 300.8 229.3L299.7 230.9C276.8 262.1 280.4 306.9 308.3 334.8C339.7 366.2 390.8 366.2 422.3 334.8L534.5 222.5C566 191 566 139.1 534.5 108.5C506.7 80.63 462.7 76.99 430.7 99.9L429.1 101C414.7 111.3 394.7 107.1 384.5 93.58C374.2 79.2 377.5 59.21 391.9 48.94L393.5 47.82C451 6.731 529.8 13.25 579.8 63.24C636.3 119.7 636.3 211.3 579.8 267.7L467.5 380z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li id=\"get-embed-1832ebd0-5b89-45bb-aca9-2400c4a658bf\" class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='explainer-embed-code-container copy-embed'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M414.8 40.79L286.8 488.8C281.9 505.8 264.2 515.6 247.2 510.8C230.2 505.9 220.4 488.2 225.2 471.2L353.2 23.21C358.1 6.216 375.8-3.624 392.8 1.232C409.8 6.087 419.6 23.8 414.8 40.79H414.8zM518.6 121.4L630.6 233.4C643.1 245.9 643.1 266.1 630.6 278.6L518.6 390.6C506.1 403.1 485.9 403.1 473.4 390.6C460.9 378.1 460.9 357.9 473.4 345.4L562.7 256L473.4 166.6C460.9 154.1 460.9 133.9 473.4 121.4C485.9 108.9 506.1 108.9 518.6 121.4V121.4zM166.6 166.6L77.25 256L166.6 345.4C179.1 357.9 179.1 378.1 166.6 390.6C154.1 403.1 133.9 403.1 121.4 390.6L9.372 278.6C-3.124 266.1-3.124 245.9 9.372 233.4L121.4 121.4C133.9 108.9 154.1 108.9 166.6 121.4C179.1 133.9 179.1 154.1 166.6 166.6V166.6z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-cal-explainers-card\">\n<p>The birthplace of many national labor movements, California hit its <a href=\"https:\/\/escholarship.org\/uc\/item\/94x791km\">unionization peak in the&nbsp;1950s, with more than 40%<\/a> of the workforce unionized. The state has been a trailblazer, carving new paths for collective bargaining. Notably, labor organizing led by legendary activist Cesar Chavez brought wins such as the 1975 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alrb.ca.gov\/forms-publications\/fact-sheets\/fact-sheet-english\/\">California Agricultural Labor Relations Act<\/a>, establishing the right of farmworkers to form and join unions, a first in the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since then, California has consistently organized more workers than the nation, particularly in education and health care. In part, that\u2019s because California hasn\u2019t followed a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/labor-and-employment\/right-to-work-laws-and-bills.aspx#:~:text=Right%2DTo%2DWork%20Resources,get%20or%20keep%20a%20job.&amp;text=Labor%20unions%20still%20operate%20in,a%20requirement%20of%20their%20job.\">wave of conservative states in passing so-called right-to-work laws<\/a>, meaning employees cannot be required to join a union in a unionized workplace. But California\u2019s membership rates trail states like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/news.release\/union2.nr0.htm\">Hawaii, where 26.5% of workers are unionized, and New York, at 20.6%<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"min-height:590px\" id=\"datawrapper-vis-nnL7q\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\" defer src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/nnL7q\/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" data-target=\"#datawrapper-vis-nnL7q\"><\/script><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/nnL7q\/full.png?ssl=1\" alt=\"Multi-line chart comparing California and national union participation rates. California has fallen from 22% in 1983 to 14% in 2024. The national rate has fallen from 20% in 1983 to 10% in 2024\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Like union membership across the country, the reach of California\u2019s unions has been declining, reaching a historical low of <a href=\"http:\/\/unionstats.gsu.edu\/\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unionstats.com\/contents.htm\">14.5% in 2024<\/a><\/a>. The reasons are many and controversial.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Experts agree that there\u2019s been slower growth in industries with traditionally strong unions, such as manufacturing. Labor organizers often point to fierce corporate opposition against workers who try to organize, and a lack of federal penalties for intimidation or retaliation. Corporations point to declining relevance for workers who are suspicious of alleged corruption or greed within unions. Plus, unions increasingly prioritize spending on lobbying over recruitment, said William Gould IV, a Stanford Law professor who studies labor and discrimination law. \u201cUnions today are spending roughly one-third to one-fifth of what they expended during the \u201830s, the \u201840s or the \u201850s when it comes to union organizing.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211;<em>jackie bots<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-copyright\">\u00a9 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-site\">CalMatters<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tfunction copyExplainerc8(button=false) {\n\t\t\t\tif(button == \"Link\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 'https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainers\/california-unions-explained\/#1832ebd0-5b89-45bb-aca9-2400c4a658bf';\n\t\t\t\t}else if(button == \"Embed\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = '<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" 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In an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfchronicle.com\/opinion\/openforum\/article\/Open-Forum-Uber-Lyft-ready-to-do-our-part-for-13969843.php\">carta abierta<\/a>, Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi and Lyft co-founders Logan Green and John Zimmer offered to form a new association to advocate for the drivers\u2019 interests, among other incentives. Democrats and the California Labor Federation, the state\u2019s association of unions, held firm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That August, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.ca.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Future-of-Work-EO-N-17-19.pdf\">orden ejecutiva<\/a> tasking a panel of labor and business representatives to draw up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.labor.ca.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/338\/2021\/02\/ca-future-of-work-report.pdf\">a new social compact for workers<\/a> in a 21st century economy. Around the same time, Newsom <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.ca.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/AB-5-Signing-Statement-2019.pdf\">signed AB 5 with a message<\/a> making clear that he wanted to see more \u201cpathways for more worker to form a union, collectively bargain to earn more, and to have a stronger voice at work \u2014 all while preserving flexibility and innovation.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Uber, Lyft and other gig companies responded with <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/election-2020-guide\/proposition-22-gig-workers-ab-5\/\">Proposici\u00f3n 22<\/a>, a ballot measure that exempted many gig companies from AB 5. They spent a record-setting <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/election-2020-guide\/proposition-22-gig-workers-ab-5\/\">$206 million<\/a> while labor groups put $20 million into the fight. Prop. 22 passed with <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/politics\/california-election-2020\/2020\/11\/california-election-results-2020\/\">59%<\/a> of the vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since then, a California judge has <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/newsletters\/whatmatters\/2021\/08\/newsom-recall-ballot-strategy\/\">ruled that Prop. 22 was unenforceable and unconstitutional<\/a>. Uber and others announced plans to appeal. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfchronicle.com\/bayarea\/article\/Federal-court-says-Grubhub-drivers-may-seek-16474254.php\">federal appeals court ruled<\/a> that drivers for food-delivery companies such as Grubhub can seek penalties for classifying workers as independent contractors before the passage of Prop. 22. Newsom\u2019s former chief of staff <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Ann_OLeary\/status\/1428926022771118096?s=20\">Anne O\u2019Leary suggests the fighting won\u2019t stop<\/a> until both sides compromise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-recent-labor-victories-and-setbacks\">Recent labor victories and setbacks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>2005 <\/strong>\u2014 California adopts rules to protect outdoor workers from heat-related illness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2009<\/strong> \u2014 California adopts rules to protect healthcare workers from airborne diseases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2013<\/strong> \u2014 California outlaws intimidation of workers based on immigration status.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2014<\/strong> \u2014 The state requires three paid sick days per year. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2016<\/strong> \u2014 California passes $15 minimum wage. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2017<\/strong> \u2014 California restricts immigration enforcement in the workplace. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2019<\/strong> \u2014 Following state Supreme Court decision, California passes AB 5. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2020<\/strong> \u2014 Voters approved Prop. 22. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2021<\/strong> \u2014 Trial court overturns Prop. 22. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The latest front is Amazon warehouses. The <a href=\"https:\/\/teamster.org\/2021\/06\/teamsters-pass-amazon-resolution\/\">Teamsters union announced<\/a> it would mount a campaign to unionize Amazon workers across the country after a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/04\/09\/982139494\/its-a-no-amazon-warehouse-workers-vote-against-unionizing-in-historic-election\">failed effort to unionize an Amazon warehouse in Alabama<\/a>. Workers there could get <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/08\/02\/1014632356\/amazon-alabama-warehouse-workers-may-get-to-vote-again-on-union\">a second vote<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Labor advocates are already targeting Amazon, which employs more than 153,000 workers. Gonzalez\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB701\">AB 701<\/a> would make California the first state to require warehouses to disclose any quotas or work speed standards, as well as consequences for workers who fail to meet them. The governor <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/explainers\/california-legislature-bills-passed-2021\/\">firm\u00f3 el proyecto de ley<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>-Jackie Botts<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-copyright\">\u00a9 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-site\">CalMatters<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tfunction copyExplainer26(button=false) {\n\t\t\t\tif(button == \"Link\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 'https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainers\/california-unions-explained\/#bff26697-04b3-4397-930a-596f2cd16b75';\n\t\t\t\t}else if(button == \"Embed\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = '<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"750px\" id=\"bff26697-04b3-4397-930a-596f2cd16b75\" class=\"explainer-embed-container\" 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c0,0.322,0.036,0.635,0.106,0.935C8.67,8.867,5.647,7.234,3.623,4.751C3.27,5.357,3.067,6.062,3.067,6.814 c0,1.424,0.724,2.679,1.825,3.415c-0.673-0.021-1.305-0.206-1.859-0.513c0,0.017,0,0.034,0,0.052c0,1.988,1.414,3.647,3.292,4.023 c-0.344,0.094-0.707,0.144-1.081,0.144c-0.264,0-0.521-0.026-0.772-0.074c0.522,1.63,2.038,2.816,3.833,2.85 c-1.404,1.1-3.174,1.756-5.096,1.756c-0.331,0-0.658-0.019-0.979-0.057c1.816,1.164,3.973,1.843,6.29,1.843 c7.547,0,11.675-6.252,11.675-11.675c0-0.178-0.004-0.355-0.012-0.531C20.985,7.47,21.68,6.747,22.23,5.924z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"explainer-social-share 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A 2018 <a href=\"https:\/\/dataspace.princeton.edu\/bitstream\/88435\/dsp01gx41mm54w\/3\/620.pdf\">estudiar<\/a> from Princeton University found that the erosion of America\u2019s labor unions contributed to at least 10% of the widening gap between rich and poor. At labor\u2019s peak in the 1950s, wealth inequality was at its lowest point in the previous century. But union membership and bargaining power declined over the next 70 years. A <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/0003122411414817\">2011 study<\/a> suggested the disappearance of unions widened the economic divide between low-wage and high-wage earners by 33% for men and 20% for women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"min-height:427px\" id=\"datawrapper-vis-gf32k\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\" defer src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/gf32k\/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" data-target=\"#datawrapper-vis-gf32k\"><\/script><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/gf32k\/full.png?ssl=1\" alt=\"Multi-line chart from 1917 to 2019 comparing how inequality increased and union membership decreased after WW2\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Would increasing the share of union participation in the private workforce shrink today\u2019s wealth gap? The Princeton study theorizes that it would by lifting those at the bottom up: \u201cWhen unions expand, whether at the national level or the state level, they tend to draw in unskilled workers and raise their relative wages, with significant impacts on inequality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Businesses, however, worry that greater union power will impede profits and growth, restricting job opportunities for workers. Research does support that concern, with one <a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1111\/j.1468-232X.1992.tb00299.x\">estudiar<\/a> finding unionization slowed job growth in California companies by 4%.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In March 2020, California\u2019s Future of Work Commission sided with the former theory, proposing unionization to combat wealth inequality. It found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.labor.ca.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/338\/2021\/02\/ca-future-of-work-report.pdf#page=7\">unionization is a more effective way to reduce poverty than even earning a college degree<\/a>. \u201cWhile the probability of low-wage employment is reduced by 33% if a worker has a college degree, it is reduced by 39% if a worker is a member of a union,\u201d commissioners wrote.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>-Jesse Bedayn<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-copyright\">\u00a9 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-site\">CalMatters<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tfunction copyExplainer28(button=false) {\n\t\t\t\tif(button == \"Link\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 'https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainers\/california-unions-explained\/#c18bcabe-1f06-453e-8653-95ce7525dfde';\n\t\t\t\t}else if(button == 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Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M172.5 131.1C228.1 75.51 320.5 75.51 376.1 131.1C426.1 181.1 433.5 260.8 392.4 318.3L391.3 319.9C381 334.2 361 337.6 346.7 327.3C332.3 317 328.9 297 339.2 282.7L340.3 281.1C363.2 249 359.6 205.1 331.7 177.2C300.3 145.8 249.2 145.8 217.7 177.2L105.5 289.5C73.99 320.1 73.99 372 105.5 403.5C133.3 431.4 177.3 435 209.3 412.1L210.9 410.1C225.3 400.7 245.3 404 255.5 418.4C265.8 432.8 262.5 452.8 248.1 463.1L246.5 464.2C188.1 505.3 110.2 498.7 60.21 448.8C3.741 392.3 3.741 300.7 60.21 244.3L172.5 131.1zM467.5 380C411 436.5 319.5 436.5 263 380C213 330 206.5 251.2 247.6 193.7L248.7 192.1C258.1 177.8 278.1 174.4 293.3 184.7C307.7 194.1 311.1 214.1 300.8 229.3L299.7 230.9C276.8 262.1 280.4 306.9 308.3 334.8C339.7 366.2 390.8 366.2 422.3 334.8L534.5 222.5C566 191 566 139.1 534.5 108.5C506.7 80.63 462.7 76.99 430.7 99.9L429.1 101C414.7 111.3 394.7 107.1 384.5 93.58C374.2 79.2 377.5 59.21 391.9 48.94L393.5 47.82C451 6.731 529.8 13.25 579.8 63.24C636.3 119.7 636.3 211.3 579.8 267.7L467.5 380z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li id=\"get-embed-39497258-881f-4991-abd6-91e5fa6e3462\" class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='explainer-embed-code-container copy-embed'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\"><!--! 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Workers covered by a union contract earn higher wages than nonunion workers, which translates into a higher per-employee cost for business owners.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unionized workers in California earn on average 12.9% more than similar non-union workers, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/laborcenter.berkeley.edu\/union-effect-in-california-1\/\">research from UC Berkeley Labor Center<\/a>. They are also more likely to receive employer-sponsored health benefits and a retirement plan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research on the other ways unions may affect businesses is more mixed. An <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/unions-do-hurt-profits-but-not-productivity-and-they-remain-a-bulwark-against-a-widening-wealth-gap-107139\">analysis of more than 300 studies<\/a> of businesses around the world found, for example, that unionization appears to be connected with higher productivity in the education and construction sectors in the United States, but makes no difference in manufacturing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to profits, it appears unionization has a negative effect. A meta analysis of unions\u2019 impact on businesses\u2019 profitability found a small correlation. <a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/qje\/article-abstract\/127\/1\/333\/1834007?redirectedFrom=fulltext\">Another study<\/a> looked at the market value of publicly traded companies before and after they were unionized. It found that a union election victory led to a 10% decrease in the company\u2019s market value.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, unions aren\u2019t all bad news for businesses\u2019 bottom lines. Whenever a worker leaves a company and needs to be replaced, it\u2019s costly and disruptive for the company, and some <a href=\"https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fa0032380\">estudios muestran<\/a> that unionized businesses have lower staff turnover. Further, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.princeton.edu\/~davidlee\/wp\/unionbf.pdf\">investigaci\u00f3n<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/files.epi.org\/page\/-\/pdf\/bp230.pdf\">muestra<\/a> that companies that unionize are no more likely to go out of business than comparable companies that are not unionized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-unionization-raises-costs\">Unionization raises costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Higher wages and lower profits&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>12.9% increase in wage costs per worker<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>10% decrease in a company&#8217;s market value<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8230;but other impacts mixed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No more likely to go out of business than non-unionized competitors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lower staff turnover<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Productivity varies by industry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Sources: <a href=\"https:\/\/laborcenter.berkeley.edu\/union-effect-in-california-1\/\">Centro Laboral de UC Berkeley<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/0019793917751144?casa_token=Nm0MGmXLjPMAAAAA%3AsXhomXpIQyZ_LjlPhBViAo20JxbFWgxqCBIvI1M-JuCLOGJYc2XCau5gw_EKxmexD2z1Cs3IqlyLqro\">Cornell University\u2019s ILR School<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/files.epi.org\/page\/-\/pdf\/bp230.pdf\">Instituto de Pol\u00edtica Econ\u00f3mica<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are other cost concerns as well. Affordable housing developers have pointed to California\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/housing\/2021\/06\/california-affordable-housing-unions\/\">requirement to use a \u201cskilled and trained workforce\u201d<\/a> as a mandate to use union laborers, driving up housing construction costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>-Grace Gedye&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-copyright\">\u00a9 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-site\">CalMatters<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tfunction copyExplainerf4(button=false) {\n\t\t\t\tif(button == \"Link\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 'https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainers\/california-unions-explained\/#39497258-881f-4991-abd6-91e5fa6e3462';\n\t\t\t\t}else if(button == \"Embed\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = '<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"750px\" 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Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M414.8 40.79L286.8 488.8C281.9 505.8 264.2 515.6 247.2 510.8C230.2 505.9 220.4 488.2 225.2 471.2L353.2 23.21C358.1 6.216 375.8-3.624 392.8 1.232C409.8 6.087 419.6 23.8 414.8 40.79H414.8zM518.6 121.4L630.6 233.4C643.1 245.9 643.1 266.1 630.6 278.6L518.6 390.6C506.1 403.1 485.9 403.1 473.4 390.6C460.9 378.1 460.9 357.9 473.4 345.4L562.7 256L473.4 166.6C460.9 154.1 460.9 133.9 473.4 121.4C485.9 108.9 506.1 108.9 518.6 121.4V121.4zM166.6 166.6L77.25 256L166.6 345.4C179.1 357.9 179.1 378.1 166.6 390.6C154.1 403.1 133.9 403.1 121.4 390.6L9.372 278.6C-3.124 266.1-3.124 245.9 9.372 233.4L121.4 121.4C133.9 108.9 154.1 108.9 166.6 121.4C179.1 133.9 179.1 154.1 166.6 166.6V166.6z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-cal-explainers-card\">\n<p>Preliminary data suggests that unionized workers fared better during the pandemic in terms of job security.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to an analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics conducted by the Washington-based labor think tank <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epi.org\/publication\/union-workers-had-more-job-security-during-the-pandemic-but-unionization-remains-historically-low-data-on-union-representation-in-2020-reinforce-the-need-for-dismantling-barriers-to-union-organizing\/\">Instituto de Pol\u00edtica Econ\u00f3mica<\/a>, union workers suffered fewer job losses, particularly in the leisure and hospitality industry, as well as retail, health care and social assistance jobs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, the state\u2019s unionization rate rose, not because there were more union jobs, but because there were fewer jobs overall. In California, the membership rate rose to 16.2% in 2020 from 15.1% in 2019 but that was because the workforce shrank by 1.4 million workers \u2014 and a bulk of those jobs lost were non-union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"min-height:497px\" id=\"datawrapper-vis-jWvNo\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\" defer src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/jWvNo\/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" data-target=\"#datawrapper-vis-jWvNo\"><\/script><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/jWvNo\/full.png?ssl=1\" alt=\"Stacked column chart comparing total workers and percent unionized in 2019 and 2020. The union membership rate increased in 2020 but the total number of workers decreased bt 1.4 million.\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The pandemic disproportionately impacted the restaurant, leisure and hospitality industries, which generally have lower union participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>California\u2019s reopening has since triggered a <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/economy\/2021\/08\/labor-shortage-hiring-incentives-yoga-therapy-401k\/\">escasez de mano de obra<\/a>, prompting employers to raise wages. Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage, which advocates for higher service industry wages, said she\u2019s heard of restaurant workers earning $25 an hour in Los Angeles, far above the state\u2019s minimum wage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jayaraman said there\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/07\/19\/dining\/labor-union-restaurants.html\">unprecedented interest among restaurant workers<\/a> for better work conditions and wages \u2014 with or without a union.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>-Melissa Montalvo<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-copyright\">\u00a9 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-site\">CalMatters<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tfunction copyExplainerc7(button=false) {\n\t\t\t\tif(button == \"Link\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 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email\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"mailto:?subject=Do%20union%20members%20assert%20their%20rights%20more%3F%20%7C%20What%E2%80%99s%20the%20role%20of%20unions%20in%20the%2021st%20century%3F&amp;body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20at:%20https%3A%2F%2Fcalmatters.org%2F_es%2Fexplainers%2Fcalifornia-unions-explained%2F%23477853be-99d1-40c3-bfd0-82e1bb244fc9\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_top\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Compartir por correo electr\u00f3nico<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M0 0h24v24H0z\" fill=\"none\"\/><path d=\"M20 4H4c-1.1 0-1.99.9-1.99 2L2 18c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h16c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V6c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 14H4V8l8 5 8-5v10zm-8-7L4 6h16l-8 5z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li 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class='explainer-embed-code-container copy-link'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M172.5 131.1C228.1 75.51 320.5 75.51 376.1 131.1C426.1 181.1 433.5 260.8 392.4 318.3L391.3 319.9C381 334.2 361 337.6 346.7 327.3C332.3 317 328.9 297 339.2 282.7L340.3 281.1C363.2 249 359.6 205.1 331.7 177.2C300.3 145.8 249.2 145.8 217.7 177.2L105.5 289.5C73.99 320.1 73.99 372 105.5 403.5C133.3 431.4 177.3 435 209.3 412.1L210.9 410.1C225.3 400.7 245.3 404 255.5 418.4C265.8 432.8 262.5 452.8 248.1 463.1L246.5 464.2C188.1 505.3 110.2 498.7 60.21 448.8C3.741 392.3 3.741 300.7 60.21 244.3L172.5 131.1zM467.5 380C411 436.5 319.5 436.5 263 380C213 330 206.5 251.2 247.6 193.7L248.7 192.1C258.1 177.8 278.1 174.4 293.3 184.7C307.7 194.1 311.1 214.1 300.8 229.3L299.7 230.9C276.8 262.1 280.4 306.9 308.3 334.8C339.7 366.2 390.8 366.2 422.3 334.8L534.5 222.5C566 191 566 139.1 534.5 108.5C506.7 80.63 462.7 76.99 430.7 99.9L429.1 101C414.7 111.3 394.7 107.1 384.5 93.58C374.2 79.2 377.5 59.21 391.9 48.94L393.5 47.82C451 6.731 529.8 13.25 579.8 63.24C636.3 119.7 636.3 211.3 579.8 267.7L467.5 380z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li id=\"get-embed-477853be-99d1-40c3-bfd0-82e1bb244fc9\" class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='explainer-embed-code-container copy-embed'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M414.8 40.79L286.8 488.8C281.9 505.8 264.2 515.6 247.2 510.8C230.2 505.9 220.4 488.2 225.2 471.2L353.2 23.21C358.1 6.216 375.8-3.624 392.8 1.232C409.8 6.087 419.6 23.8 414.8 40.79H414.8zM518.6 121.4L630.6 233.4C643.1 245.9 643.1 266.1 630.6 278.6L518.6 390.6C506.1 403.1 485.9 403.1 473.4 390.6C460.9 378.1 460.9 357.9 473.4 345.4L562.7 256L473.4 166.6C460.9 154.1 460.9 133.9 473.4 121.4C485.9 108.9 506.1 108.9 518.6 121.4V121.4zM166.6 166.6L77.25 256L166.6 345.4C179.1 357.9 179.1 378.1 166.6 390.6C154.1 403.1 133.9 403.1 121.4 390.6L9.372 278.6C-3.124 266.1-3.124 245.9 9.372 233.4L121.4 121.4C133.9 108.9 154.1 108.9 166.6 121.4C179.1 133.9 179.1 154.1 166.6 166.6V166.6z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-cal-explainers-card\">\n<p>Unions have helped secure hazard pay, health and safety protections, and support for laid-off workers in the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/0019793920953089\">Unionized workers are more likely to assert their right to a safe workplace<\/a>, such as taking actions such as filing OSHA complaints, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epi.org\/publication\/union-workers-had-more-job-security-during-the-pandemic-but-unionization-remains-historically-low-data-on-union-representation-in-2020-reinforce-the-need-for-dismantling-barriers-to-union-organizing\/\">study published in September 2020<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/thecounter.org\/osha-covid-19-complaints-agriculture-pandemic\/\">An analysis of OSHA complaints<\/a> showed that some high-risk industries with historically low unionization rates, such as agriculture, had relatively few complaints during the pandemic, from March 17, 2020, to May 21, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/calmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/SCNG_SEIU_090617_01.jpg?ssl=1\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A large crowd of SEIU Local 721 (Service Employees International Union) members, strike outside of the Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley on September 6, 2017. Photo by John Valenzuela, Press Enterprise\/SCNG<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In California, unions have played an active role in the reopening process. UNITE HERE Local 11 helped push through a <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/california-divide\/2021\/05\/right-to-return-to-work-hospitality-workers\/\">right-to-return measure<\/a> that required hotels to offer jobs back to workers laid off during the pandemic. The law was aimed at helping an estimated 700,000 housekeepers, cooks, waiters and bartenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Labor has also been vocal around employer-mandated vaccine requirements. The California Teachers Association, for example, is supportive of the vaccine but initially <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/education\/2021\/08\/california-vaccines-teachers-mandate\/\">didn\u2019t endorse a vaccine mandate on public school teachers<\/a>. Meanwhile, the union representing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/news\/politics-government\/the-state-worker\/article253378123.html\">prison guards vowed to fight<\/a> a state order requiring all employees working at health care facilities to be vaccinated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>-Melissa Montalvo<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-copyright\">\u00a9 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-site\">CalMatters<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tfunction copyExplainer88(button=false) {\n\t\t\t\tif(button == \"Link\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 'https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainers\/california-unions-explained\/#477853be-99d1-40c3-bfd0-82e1bb244fc9';\n\t\t\t\t}else if(button == \"Embed\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = '<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"750px\" id=\"477853be-99d1-40c3-bfd0-82e1bb244fc9\" 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{\n\t\t\t\tcopyExplainer88(\"Embed\");\n\t\t\t});\n\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class='explainer-card' id='32b4f3a6-61fb-4958-8bf9-8cdaf7d8dff3' >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class='explainer-card-title'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href='#32b4f3a6-61fb-4958-8bf9-8cdaf7d8dff3'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhich workers are in a union?\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"social-share'\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-share-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"explainer-social-share email\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"mailto:?subject=Which%20workers%20are%20in%20a%20union%3F%20%7C%20What%E2%80%99s%20the%20role%20of%20unions%20in%20the%2021st%20century%3F&amp;body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20at:%20https%3A%2F%2Fcalmatters.org%2F_es%2Fexplainers%2Fcalifornia-unions-explained%2F%2332b4f3a6-61fb-4958-8bf9-8cdaf7d8dff3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_top\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Compartir por correo electr\u00f3nico<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M0 0h24v24H0z\" fill=\"none\"\/><path d=\"M20 4H4c-1.1 0-1.99.9-1.99 2L2 18c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h16c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V6c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 14H4V8l8 5 8-5v10zm-8-7L4 6h16l-8 5z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"explainer-social-share 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facebook\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcalmatters.org%2F_es%2Fexplainers%2Fcalifornia-unions-explained%2F%2332b4f3a6-61fb-4958-8bf9-8cdaf7d8dff3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Compartir en Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li id=\"get-link-32b4f3a6-61fb-4958-8bf9-8cdaf7d8dff3\" class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='explainer-embed-code-container copy-link'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M172.5 131.1C228.1 75.51 320.5 75.51 376.1 131.1C426.1 181.1 433.5 260.8 392.4 318.3L391.3 319.9C381 334.2 361 337.6 346.7 327.3C332.3 317 328.9 297 339.2 282.7L340.3 281.1C363.2 249 359.6 205.1 331.7 177.2C300.3 145.8 249.2 145.8 217.7 177.2L105.5 289.5C73.99 320.1 73.99 372 105.5 403.5C133.3 431.4 177.3 435 209.3 412.1L210.9 410.1C225.3 400.7 245.3 404 255.5 418.4C265.8 432.8 262.5 452.8 248.1 463.1L246.5 464.2C188.1 505.3 110.2 498.7 60.21 448.8C3.741 392.3 3.741 300.7 60.21 244.3L172.5 131.1zM467.5 380C411 436.5 319.5 436.5 263 380C213 330 206.5 251.2 247.6 193.7L248.7 192.1C258.1 177.8 278.1 174.4 293.3 184.7C307.7 194.1 311.1 214.1 300.8 229.3L299.7 230.9C276.8 262.1 280.4 306.9 308.3 334.8C339.7 366.2 390.8 366.2 422.3 334.8L534.5 222.5C566 191 566 139.1 534.5 108.5C506.7 80.63 462.7 76.99 430.7 99.9L429.1 101C414.7 111.3 394.7 107.1 384.5 93.58C374.2 79.2 377.5 59.21 391.9 48.94L393.5 47.82C451 6.731 529.8 13.25 579.8 63.24C636.3 119.7 636.3 211.3 579.8 267.7L467.5 380z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li id=\"get-embed-32b4f3a6-61fb-4958-8bf9-8cdaf7d8dff3\" class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='explainer-embed-code-container copy-embed'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M414.8 40.79L286.8 488.8C281.9 505.8 264.2 515.6 247.2 510.8C230.2 505.9 220.4 488.2 225.2 471.2L353.2 23.21C358.1 6.216 375.8-3.624 392.8 1.232C409.8 6.087 419.6 23.8 414.8 40.79H414.8zM518.6 121.4L630.6 233.4C643.1 245.9 643.1 266.1 630.6 278.6L518.6 390.6C506.1 403.1 485.9 403.1 473.4 390.6C460.9 378.1 460.9 357.9 473.4 345.4L562.7 256L473.4 166.6C460.9 154.1 460.9 133.9 473.4 121.4C485.9 108.9 506.1 108.9 518.6 121.4V121.4zM166.6 166.6L77.25 256L166.6 345.4C179.1 357.9 179.1 378.1 166.6 390.6C154.1 403.1 133.9 403.1 121.4 390.6L9.372 278.6C-3.124 266.1-3.124 245.9 9.372 233.4L121.4 121.4C133.9 108.9 154.1 108.9 166.6 121.4C179.1 133.9 179.1 154.1 166.6 166.6V166.6z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-cal-explainers-card\">\n<p>Roughly 15%, around 2.4 million, of California workers are union members. An additional 200,000 workers are represented by unions, despite not being official union members. That means 13 million California workers are not in unions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By and large, most Californians work in the private sector and an overwhelming majority of them don\u2019t belong to unions. That\u2019s true across agriculture, retail, financial and business sectors. In fact, low-wage and unskilled jobs, such as in retail and restaurants, have some of the lowest industry unionization rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ufw.org\/\">Trabajadores Agr\u00edcolas Unidos<\/a>, a legacy of Chavez, has a mere 6,626 members. In June, the <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/california-divide\/2021\/06\/supreme-court-california-farmworker-unions-property-rights\/\">Corte Suprema de Estados Unidos <\/a>ruled against organizing efforts by invalidating a California rule that allowed union organizers to meet with farmworkers at their place of work. The union pushed <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/economy\/2021\/08\/united-farm-workers-ab-616\/\">a bill that would allow farmworkers to vote at home<\/a> but the governor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.ca.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AB-616-9.22.21.pdf\">lo vet\u00f3<\/a>, citing inconsistencies and procedural flaws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"min-height:783px\" id=\"datawrapper-vis-hON8y\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\" defer src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/hON8y\/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" data-target=\"#datawrapper-vis-hON8y\"><\/script><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/hON8y\/full.png?ssl=1\" alt=\"Comparison of California workers by sector, industry and union membership.\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, jobs in education and healthcare have some of the highest unionization rates, both in the private and public sectors, representing more than 40% of all union jobs. Public administration jobs are the second most unionized within the public sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The largest union in the state is the <a href=\"https:\/\/seiuca.org\/about\/\">Sindicato Internacional de Empleados de Servicios<\/a>, with 17 local branches representing more than 700,000 private and public sector employees in healthcare, education, and government, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seiu1000.org\/\">SEIU Local 1000<\/a>, is the largest public sector union in the state, representing 96,000 state workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>-Erika Paz<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-copyright\">\u00a9 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-site\">CalMatters<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tfunction copyExplainer50(button=false) {\n\t\t\t\tif(button == \"Link\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 'https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainers\/california-unions-explained\/#32b4f3a6-61fb-4958-8bf9-8cdaf7d8dff3';\n\t\t\t\t}else if(button == \"Embed\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = '<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"750px\" id=\"32b4f3a6-61fb-4958-8bf9-8cdaf7d8dff3\" class=\"explainer-embed-container\" src=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainer\/204406\/embed\/32b4f3a6-61fb-4958-8bf9-8cdaf7d8dff3\"><\/iframe>';\n\t\t\t\t}else{\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = false;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\tif(copyText != false){\n\t\t\t\t\tnavigator.clipboard\n\t\t\t\t\t.writeText(copyText)\n\t\t\t\t\t.then(() => {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcreateExplainerToaster(`${button} copied to clipboard.`);\n\t\t\t\t\t})\n\t\t\t\t\t.catch(() => {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcreateExplainerToaster(`Unable to copy ${button.toLowerCase()}.`);\n\t\t\t\t\t});\n\t\t\t\t}else{\n\t\t\t\t\tcreateExplainerToaster(`Unable to 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email\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"mailto:?subject=How%20do%20unions%20form%3F%20%7C%20What%E2%80%99s%20the%20role%20of%20unions%20in%20the%2021st%20century%3F&amp;body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20at:%20https%3A%2F%2Fcalmatters.org%2F_es%2Fexplainers%2Fcalifornia-unions-explained%2F%236ccd78f7-6403-4264-a540-bbd691fbbf9c\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_top\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Compartir por correo electr\u00f3nico<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M0 0h24v24H0z\" fill=\"none\"\/><path d=\"M20 4H4c-1.1 0-1.99.9-1.99 2L2 18c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h16c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V6c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 14H4V8l8 5 8-5v10zm-8-7L4 6h16l-8 5z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener 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c0,0.322,0.036,0.635,0.106,0.935C8.67,8.867,5.647,7.234,3.623,4.751C3.27,5.357,3.067,6.062,3.067,6.814 c0,1.424,0.724,2.679,1.825,3.415c-0.673-0.021-1.305-0.206-1.859-0.513c0,0.017,0,0.034,0,0.052c0,1.988,1.414,3.647,3.292,4.023 c-0.344,0.094-0.707,0.144-1.081,0.144c-0.264,0-0.521-0.026-0.772-0.074c0.522,1.63,2.038,2.816,3.833,2.85 c-1.404,1.1-3.174,1.756-5.096,1.756c-0.331,0-0.658-0.019-0.979-0.057c1.816,1.164,3.973,1.843,6.29,1.843 c7.547,0,11.675-6.252,11.675-11.675c0-0.178-0.004-0.355-0.012-0.531C20.985,7.47,21.68,6.747,22.23,5.924z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"explainer-social-share 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Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M414.8 40.79L286.8 488.8C281.9 505.8 264.2 515.6 247.2 510.8C230.2 505.9 220.4 488.2 225.2 471.2L353.2 23.21C358.1 6.216 375.8-3.624 392.8 1.232C409.8 6.087 419.6 23.8 414.8 40.79H414.8zM518.6 121.4L630.6 233.4C643.1 245.9 643.1 266.1 630.6 278.6L518.6 390.6C506.1 403.1 485.9 403.1 473.4 390.6C460.9 378.1 460.9 357.9 473.4 345.4L562.7 256L473.4 166.6C460.9 154.1 460.9 133.9 473.4 121.4C485.9 108.9 506.1 108.9 518.6 121.4V121.4zM166.6 166.6L77.25 256L166.6 345.4C179.1 357.9 179.1 378.1 166.6 390.6C154.1 403.1 133.9 403.1 121.4 390.6L9.372 278.6C-3.124 266.1-3.124 245.9 9.372 233.4L121.4 121.4C133.9 108.9 154.1 108.9 166.6 121.4C179.1 133.9 179.1 154.1 166.6 166.6V166.6z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-cal-explainers-card\">\n<p>Private-sector unions typically form through an organizing committee followed by a campaign to recruit supporters. If organizers hit a 30% threshold of employees willing to enter a union, they submit a petition to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlrb.gov\/resources\/nlrb-process\">National Labor Relations Board<\/a>, which covers most private-sector employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The NLRB then investigates and certain procedures are followed by the employer and the union aiming to become the bargaining representative. At that point, a vote can take place and the election is decided by a majority of valid votes cast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Labor advocates say many businesses will try to dissuade workers from supporting unionization. And in Congress, Democrats have been pushing to protect and expand worker organizing drives through the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/03\/09\/975259434\/house-democrats-pass-bill-that-would-protect-worker-organizing-efforts\">PRO Act<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-which-workers-can-join-unions\">Which workers can join unions?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-public-sector\"><strong>Public sector<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Most employees here are already covered by unions. The <a href=\"https:\/\/perb.ca.gov\/\">California Public Employment Relations Board<\/a> is the state agency overseeing collective bargaining for California&#8217;s public schools, colleges, state and local government employees, court and transit employees and child care workers who participate in a state-funded program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-private-sector\"><strong>Private sector<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Freelancers, farmworkers, domestic workers, supervisors<\/strong>: These workers are exempt from federal collective bargaining protections. However, California farmworkers have a path to unionization under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alrb.ca.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Agricultural Labor Relations Board<\/a> rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Employees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Process for forming a union: Workers file a petition with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlrb.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Labor Relations Board<\/a>. If 30% of workers show support, known as &#8220;card check,&#8221; the employer can allow an election or request a formal hearing with the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An election is decided based on a majority of valid votes cast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If results are conclusive, the NLRB certifies the union.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If results are not conclusive, the NLRB conducts a review.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Sources: National Labor Relations Board, California Public Employment Relations Board, California Agricultural Labor Relations Board<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Not every worker is protected this way. Public-sector employees, agricultural and domestic workers, independent contractors, supervisors and some other employees are excluded from the National Labor Relations Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In California, public-sector employees are covered by the state\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/perb.ca.gov\/\">Public Employment Relations Board<\/a>. The quasi-judicial administrative agency administers collective bargaining rules for California schools and state and local public agencies, as well as courts and transit agencies. Public-sector unions have been well established since the 1970s. For instance, <a href=\"https:\/\/lao.ca.gov\/StateWorkforce\/BargainingUnits\">80% of the state workforce is unionized<\/a>. The rest are not because they\u2019re managers, supervisors or ineligible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Public-sector workers generally adhere to the same two-step unionization process as the private sector; however, some public-sector workers have an option for a streamlined process. For example, if a union can get more than 50% support from teachers, then the school district has to recognize that union without having an election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>-Nigel Duara<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-copyright\">\u00a9 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-site\">CalMatters<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tfunction copyExplainer48(button=false) {\n\t\t\t\tif(button == \"Link\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 'https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainers\/california-unions-explained\/#6ccd78f7-6403-4264-a540-bbd691fbbf9c';\n\t\t\t\t}else if(button == \"Embed\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = '<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"750px\" id=\"6ccd78f7-6403-4264-a540-bbd691fbbf9c\" class=\"explainer-embed-container\" 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Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M414.8 40.79L286.8 488.8C281.9 505.8 264.2 515.6 247.2 510.8C230.2 505.9 220.4 488.2 225.2 471.2L353.2 23.21C358.1 6.216 375.8-3.624 392.8 1.232C409.8 6.087 419.6 23.8 414.8 40.79H414.8zM518.6 121.4L630.6 233.4C643.1 245.9 643.1 266.1 630.6 278.6L518.6 390.6C506.1 403.1 485.9 403.1 473.4 390.6C460.9 378.1 460.9 357.9 473.4 345.4L562.7 256L473.4 166.6C460.9 154.1 460.9 133.9 473.4 121.4C485.9 108.9 506.1 108.9 518.6 121.4V121.4zM166.6 166.6L77.25 256L166.6 345.4C179.1 357.9 179.1 378.1 166.6 390.6C154.1 403.1 133.9 403.1 121.4 390.6L9.372 278.6C-3.124 266.1-3.124 245.9 9.372 233.4L121.4 121.4C133.9 108.9 154.1 108.9 166.6 121.4C179.1 133.9 179.1 154.1 166.6 166.6V166.6z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-cal-explainers-card\">\n<p>Public-sector unions aren\u2019t like other unions, not just in their membership, but in how they get things done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A typical union negotiation in the private sector involves bargainers using measures including walkouts and the threat of a strike to persuade a non-governmental entity to commit to the requests from the union membership.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s not how negotiations work for public unions, where the process is more like lobbying. <a href=\"https:\/\/californiapolicycenter.org\/the-ideology-of-public-sector-unions-vs-private-sector-unions\/\">Right-leaning policy groups<\/a> have pointed to core differences between public unions and their private counterparts: Unlike a private corporation, local, state and federal negotiators don\u2019t have the same motivation to control costs in negotiations with public unions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Public unions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/chuckdevore\/2018\/09\/20\/when-government-workers-elect-their-bosses-the-taxpayers-pay\/?sh=7f194d021fbb\">\u201cpick their own bosses,\u201d<\/a> meaning they play an outsized role in organizing, spending and voting, especially in low-level municipal and school board elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unions are also <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/politics\/california-election-2020\/2020\/10\/california-lawmakers-big-donors-special-interest-independent-expenditures\/\">top contributors<\/a> in state legislative races. For example, the California Teachers Association, the California Federation of Teachers and the California Faculty Association together spent more than $2 million on a variety of 2020 races. The union that represents prison guards in California dropped $4 million, the bulk of which went to just two races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-chart\" data-src=\"visualisation\/7149376\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Public unions can have a major impact on policy in a way that private unions can\u2019t. Take the case study of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, which for decades successfully helped <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalaffairs.com\/publications\/detail\/the-trouble-with-public-sector-unions\">the push for more prisons<\/a> \u2013 and more prison jobs. The number of prisons grew from 12 in 1980 to nearly three dozen by 2000. Along with that lobbying came the labor-backed push for a \u201cthree-strikes\u201d law, which passed in 1994.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>-Nigel Duara<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-copyright\">\u00a9 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-site\">CalMatters<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tfunction copyExplainerad(button=false) {\n\t\t\t\tif(button == \"Link\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 'https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainers\/california-unions-explained\/#b57e50f9-fafe-4048-8890-c0bdbc5551ba';\n\t\t\t\t}else if(button == \"Embed\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = '<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"750px\" id=\"b57e50f9-fafe-4048-8890-c0bdbc5551ba\" class=\"explainer-embed-container\" src=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainer\/204406\/embed\/b57e50f9-fafe-4048-8890-c0bdbc5551ba\"><\/iframe>';\n\t\t\t\t}else{\n\t\t\t\t\tvar 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href='#89012b49-a2e8-4750-ac19-4ad54b2c4a7a'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow do unions spend their resources?\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"social-share'\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-share-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"explainer-social-share email\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"mailto:?subject=How%20do%20unions%20spend%20their%20resources%3F%20%7C%20What%E2%80%99s%20the%20role%20of%20unions%20in%20the%2021st%20century%3F&amp;body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20at:%20https%3A%2F%2Fcalmatters.org%2F_es%2Fexplainers%2Fcalifornia-unions-explained%2F%2389012b49-a2e8-4750-ac19-4ad54b2c4a7a\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_top\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Compartir por correo electr\u00f3nico<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\" 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c7.547,0,11.675-6.252,11.675-11.675c0-0.178-0.004-0.355-0.012-0.531C20.985,7.47,21.68,6.747,22.23,5.924z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"explainer-social-share facebook\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcalmatters.org%2F_es%2Fexplainers%2Fcalifornia-unions-explained%2F%2389012b49-a2e8-4750-ac19-4ad54b2c4a7a\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Compartir en Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li id=\"get-link-89012b49-a2e8-4750-ac19-4ad54b2c4a7a\" class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='explainer-embed-code-container copy-link'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M172.5 131.1C228.1 75.51 320.5 75.51 376.1 131.1C426.1 181.1 433.5 260.8 392.4 318.3L391.3 319.9C381 334.2 361 337.6 346.7 327.3C332.3 317 328.9 297 339.2 282.7L340.3 281.1C363.2 249 359.6 205.1 331.7 177.2C300.3 145.8 249.2 145.8 217.7 177.2L105.5 289.5C73.99 320.1 73.99 372 105.5 403.5C133.3 431.4 177.3 435 209.3 412.1L210.9 410.1C225.3 400.7 245.3 404 255.5 418.4C265.8 432.8 262.5 452.8 248.1 463.1L246.5 464.2C188.1 505.3 110.2 498.7 60.21 448.8C3.741 392.3 3.741 300.7 60.21 244.3L172.5 131.1zM467.5 380C411 436.5 319.5 436.5 263 380C213 330 206.5 251.2 247.6 193.7L248.7 192.1C258.1 177.8 278.1 174.4 293.3 184.7C307.7 194.1 311.1 214.1 300.8 229.3L299.7 230.9C276.8 262.1 280.4 306.9 308.3 334.8C339.7 366.2 390.8 366.2 422.3 334.8L534.5 222.5C566 191 566 139.1 534.5 108.5C506.7 80.63 462.7 76.99 430.7 99.9L429.1 101C414.7 111.3 394.7 107.1 384.5 93.58C374.2 79.2 377.5 59.21 391.9 48.94L393.5 47.82C451 6.731 529.8 13.25 579.8 63.24C636.3 119.7 636.3 211.3 579.8 267.7L467.5 380z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li id=\"get-embed-89012b49-a2e8-4750-ac19-4ad54b2c4a7a\" class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='explainer-embed-code-container copy-embed'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M414.8 40.79L286.8 488.8C281.9 505.8 264.2 515.6 247.2 510.8C230.2 505.9 220.4 488.2 225.2 471.2L353.2 23.21C358.1 6.216 375.8-3.624 392.8 1.232C409.8 6.087 419.6 23.8 414.8 40.79H414.8zM518.6 121.4L630.6 233.4C643.1 245.9 643.1 266.1 630.6 278.6L518.6 390.6C506.1 403.1 485.9 403.1 473.4 390.6C460.9 378.1 460.9 357.9 473.4 345.4L562.7 256L473.4 166.6C460.9 154.1 460.9 133.9 473.4 121.4C485.9 108.9 506.1 108.9 518.6 121.4V121.4zM166.6 166.6L77.25 256L166.6 345.4C179.1 357.9 179.1 378.1 166.6 390.6C154.1 403.1 133.9 403.1 121.4 390.6L9.372 278.6C-3.124 266.1-3.124 245.9 9.372 233.4L121.4 121.4C133.9 108.9 154.1 108.9 166.6 121.4C179.1 133.9 179.1 154.1 166.6 166.6V166.6z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-cal-explainers-card\">\n<p>Unions bring in money via members\u2019 dues \u2014 a small percentage of union worker\u2019s salaries. Unions spend that money in a variety of ways: recruiting new members; providing services, like legal defense, to their existing members; lobbying policy makers; contributing to political campaigns; and more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Comprehensive numbers are hard to come by, but the California Policy Center, a conservative think tank, <a href=\"https:\/\/californiapolicycenter.org\/californias-public-sector-unions-rake-in-921-billion-in-annual-revenue\/\">estimados<\/a> that California public sector unions take in $921 million annually.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the recent death of national AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/08\/05\/business\/richard-trumka-dead.html\">a debate has resurfaced<\/a> about how unions should best spend their funds. Trumka focused more on forging connections with Democratic leaders and lobbying for new legislation, and less on recruiting new workers to the movement. A <a href=\"https:\/\/splinternews.com\/afl-cio-budget-is-a-stark-illustration-of-the-decline-o-1834793722\">leaked internal budget<\/a> shows that during Trumka\u2019s tenure the federation\u2019s spending on organizing shrunk from 30% of its budget to 10%.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The California Federation of Teachers serves as another example, because its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cft.org\/sites\/main\/files\/file-attachments\/cft_financial_statement_audit.pdf?1628815299\">financial documents<\/a> are publicly available. The union had about $27 million in net assets at the end of 2020. That year, the union&#8221;s political committees spent nearly $4 million on candidates, propositions and ballot measures while its strategic organizing committee spent just $85,000 on communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But unions are heavyweight contributors in California politics. They were <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/politics\/2021\/05\/gavin-newsom-recall-money\/\">among the top contributors<\/a> against the effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom, particularly health care unions.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"pym_0\" class=\"pym\"><\/div>\n\n\n<p>&#8211;<em>Gracia Gedye&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-copyright\">\u00a9 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-site\">CalMatters<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tfunction copyExplainer55(button=false) {\n\t\t\t\tif(button == \"Link\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 'https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainers\/california-unions-explained\/#89012b49-a2e8-4750-ac19-4ad54b2c4a7a';\n\t\t\t\t}else if(button == \"Embed\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = '<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"750px\" id=\"89012b49-a2e8-4750-ac19-4ad54b2c4a7a\" class=\"explainer-embed-container\" src=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainer\/204406\/embed\/89012b49-a2e8-4750-ac19-4ad54b2c4a7a\"><\/iframe>';\n\t\t\t\t}else{\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 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href='#7c7a0232-cc6d-4f7e-8d5a-44d8d68541c1'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow does the public view unions?\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"social-share'\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-share-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"explainer-social-share email\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"mailto:?subject=How%20does%20the%20public%20view%20unions%3F%20%7C%20What%E2%80%99s%20the%20role%20of%20unions%20in%20the%2021st%20century%3F&amp;body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20at:%20https%3A%2F%2Fcalmatters.org%2F_es%2Fexplainers%2Fcalifornia-unions-explained%2F%237c7a0232-cc6d-4f7e-8d5a-44d8d68541c1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_top\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Compartir por correo electr\u00f3nico<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\" 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c7.547,0,11.675-6.252,11.675-11.675c0-0.178-0.004-0.355-0.012-0.531C20.985,7.47,21.68,6.747,22.23,5.924z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"explainer-social-share facebook\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcalmatters.org%2F_es%2Fexplainers%2Fcalifornia-unions-explained%2F%237c7a0232-cc6d-4f7e-8d5a-44d8d68541c1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Compartir en Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 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Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M172.5 131.1C228.1 75.51 320.5 75.51 376.1 131.1C426.1 181.1 433.5 260.8 392.4 318.3L391.3 319.9C381 334.2 361 337.6 346.7 327.3C332.3 317 328.9 297 339.2 282.7L340.3 281.1C363.2 249 359.6 205.1 331.7 177.2C300.3 145.8 249.2 145.8 217.7 177.2L105.5 289.5C73.99 320.1 73.99 372 105.5 403.5C133.3 431.4 177.3 435 209.3 412.1L210.9 410.1C225.3 400.7 245.3 404 255.5 418.4C265.8 432.8 262.5 452.8 248.1 463.1L246.5 464.2C188.1 505.3 110.2 498.7 60.21 448.8C3.741 392.3 3.741 300.7 60.21 244.3L172.5 131.1zM467.5 380C411 436.5 319.5 436.5 263 380C213 330 206.5 251.2 247.6 193.7L248.7 192.1C258.1 177.8 278.1 174.4 293.3 184.7C307.7 194.1 311.1 214.1 300.8 229.3L299.7 230.9C276.8 262.1 280.4 306.9 308.3 334.8C339.7 366.2 390.8 366.2 422.3 334.8L534.5 222.5C566 191 566 139.1 534.5 108.5C506.7 80.63 462.7 76.99 430.7 99.9L429.1 101C414.7 111.3 394.7 107.1 384.5 93.58C374.2 79.2 377.5 59.21 391.9 48.94L393.5 47.82C451 6.731 529.8 13.25 579.8 63.24C636.3 119.7 636.3 211.3 579.8 267.7L467.5 380z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li id=\"get-embed-7c7a0232-cc6d-4f7e-8d5a-44d8d68541c1\" class=\"social-share-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='explainer-embed-code-container copy-embed'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 6.1.2 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M414.8 40.79L286.8 488.8C281.9 505.8 264.2 515.6 247.2 510.8C230.2 505.9 220.4 488.2 225.2 471.2L353.2 23.21C358.1 6.216 375.8-3.624 392.8 1.232C409.8 6.087 419.6 23.8 414.8 40.79H414.8zM518.6 121.4L630.6 233.4C643.1 245.9 643.1 266.1 630.6 278.6L518.6 390.6C506.1 403.1 485.9 403.1 473.4 390.6C460.9 378.1 460.9 357.9 473.4 345.4L562.7 256L473.4 166.6C460.9 154.1 460.9 133.9 473.4 121.4C485.9 108.9 506.1 108.9 518.6 121.4V121.4zM166.6 166.6L77.25 256L166.6 345.4C179.1 357.9 179.1 378.1 166.6 390.6C154.1 403.1 133.9 403.1 121.4 390.6L9.372 278.6C-3.124 266.1-3.124 245.9 9.372 233.4L121.4 121.4C133.9 108.9 154.1 108.9 166.6 121.4C179.1 133.9 179.1 154.1 166.6 166.6V166.6z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-cal-explainers-card\">\n<p>Public opinion of labor unions has shifted with America\u2019s economic fortunes. As Americans reeled from the 2007-09 Great Recession, public trust of economic institutions including business, government and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawprofessors.typepad.com\/files\/why-is-the-public-suddenly-down-on-unions.pdf\">labor unions took a plunge<\/a>. Union approval dropped below 50% for the first time since the 1940s.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 2020, however, unions crawled back to 65% public approval, though 10 percentage points below peak public support for unions in the 1950s, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/news.gallup.com\/poll\/12751\/labor-unions.aspx\">Gallup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a 2016 Gallup poll, half of respondents said that organized labor mostly helps the economy, while 41% said it mostly hurts. And in 2018, only 39% of Americans said they would like to see organized labor\u2019s influence grow, while more than half said they\u2019d prefer union influence to remain at the same level or diminish.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is, in part, due to a changing perception of unions as good for the unionized worker but bad for everyone else. According to a 2018 survey and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=Public+Perception+of+Labor+Unions+study++I+know+I+am&amp;ei=OEwtYeapH9iu0PEPr9WZoAM&amp;oq=Public+Perception+of+Labor+Unions+study++I+know+I+am&amp;gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAM6BwgAEEcQsANKBAhBGABQjTpYzExgv05oAnACeACAAWOIAZgDkgEBNZgBAKABAcgBCMABAQ&amp;sclient=gws-wiz&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjmpaWC19nyAhVYFzQIHa9qBjQQ4dUDCA8&amp;uact=5#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20Know%20I,mdpi.com%20%E2%80%BA%20pdf\">an\u00e1lisis<\/a> published by Penn State, organized labor is still largely perceived as \u201cpale, male, and stale\u201d and a drag on the economy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Californians support bargaining power for workers<strong>,<\/strong> with nearly 8 in 10 agreeing that it is important for workers to organize so that employers do not take advantage of them, according to a 2024 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ppic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/ppic-statewide-survey-californians-and-their-economic-well-being-december-2020.pdf\">PPIC poll<\/a>. But 7 in 10 say they\u2019re not in a workplace that offers membership in or affiliation with a union, occupation association, worker center, or other group that represents workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"min-height:750px\" id=\"datawrapper-vis-PeAZ3\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\" defer src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/PeAZ3\/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" data-target=\"#datawrapper-vis-PeAZ3\"><\/script><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/PeAZ3\/full.png?ssl=1\" alt=\"Bar chart of survey results to the question of whether it is important for workers to organize so employers do not take advantage of them. Most Californians agree with the statement, 83% of all adults.\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>That broad endorsement for unions, however, didn\u2019t materialize in the Prop. 22 fight: <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/election-2020-guide\/proposition-22-gig-workers-ab-5\/\">59% of voters sided with gig companies<\/a> in keeping workers as freelancers rather than classify them as employees, which would have allowed workers to unionize. Party affiliation was a key indicator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, unions have more traction among younger, minority and lower-income Americans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>La propuesta <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/842\">PRO Act<\/a> has 59% support of Americans, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2021\/6\/16\/22535274\/poll-pro-act-unionization-majority-bipartisan\">Vox and Data for Progress Poll<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>-Jesse Bedayn<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"explainer-card__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-copyright\">\u00a9 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"explainer-card__footer-site\">CalMatters<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tfunction copyExplainer8f(button=false) {\n\t\t\t\tif(button == \"Link\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = 'https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainers\/california-unions-explained\/#7c7a0232-cc6d-4f7e-8d5a-44d8d68541c1';\n\t\t\t\t}else if(button == \"Embed\"){\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = '<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"750px\" id=\"7c7a0232-cc6d-4f7e-8d5a-44d8d68541c1\" class=\"explainer-embed-container\" src=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explainer\/204406\/embed\/7c7a0232-cc6d-4f7e-8d5a-44d8d68541c1\"><\/iframe>';\n\t\t\t\t}else{\n\t\t\t\t\tvar copyText = false;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\tif(copyText != false){\n\t\t\t\t\tnavigator.clipboard\n\t\t\t\t\t.writeText(copyText)\n\t\t\t\t\t.then(() => {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcreateExplainerToaster(`${button} copied to clipboard.`);\n\t\t\t\t\t})\n\t\t\t\t\t.catch(() => {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcreateExplainerToaster(`Unable to copy ${button.toLowerCase()}.`);\n\t\t\t\t\t});\n\t\t\t\t}else{\n\t\t\t\t\tcreateExplainerToaster(`Unable to copy.`)\n\t\t\t\t}\n\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"get-link-7c7a0232-cc6d-4f7e-8d5a-44d8d68541c1\").addEventListener(\"click\", function () {\n\t\t\t\tcopyExplainer8f(\"Link\");\n\t\t\t});\n\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"get-embed-7c7a0232-cc6d-4f7e-8d5a-44d8d68541c1\").addEventListener(\"click\", function () {\n\t\t\t\tcopyExplainer8f(\"Embed\");\n\t\t\t});\n\t\t<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Si bien California enfrenta una estratificaci\u00f3n laboral extrema, los sindicatos representan solo el 16% de trabajadores. \u00bfM\u00e1s sindicatos en el sector privado reducir\u00edan la desigualdad o aumentar\u00edan los costos?<\/p>","protected":false},"author":235,"featured_media":204388,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","newspack_featured_image_position":"behind","footnotes":""},"categories":[6055,29],"tags":[3935],"legislator":[],"bill":[],"coauthors":[59317,58794,58775,4188,23556,58614,35628],"class_list":["post-204406","cal_explainers","type-cal_explainers","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-california-divide","category-explainers","tag-unions","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What\u2019s the role of unions in the 21st century?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"While California faces extreme labor stratification, unions represent just 16% of workers. Would more unions reduce inequality?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/_es\/explicadores\/california-unions-explained\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"es_MX\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What\u2019s the role of unions in the 21st century?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"While California faces extreme labor stratification, unions represent just 16% of workers. 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