{"id":357862,"date":"2017-04-27T12:50:46","date_gmt":"2017-04-27T17:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/list-of-us-labor-unions.html"},"modified":"2025-03-21T11:06:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T16:06:00","slug":"list-of-us-labor-unions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/list-of-us-labor-unions.html","title":{"rendered":"List of U.S. Labor Unions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

List of U.S. Labor Unions<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n

Labor unions represent workers in negotiations for higher wages, benefits, and working conditions. Notable U.S. labor unions include the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Nurses Association (ANA), each serving specific sectors like education, healthcare, and public services.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The U.S. labor movement has grown to include millions of members. Today, federal laws enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor<\/a>, along with state laws, recognize the rights of many types of U.S. workers to form a union<\/a>. Unions uphold labor standards. They also protect employee rights within the federal government and across various industries.<\/p>\n

Labor organization members enjoy certain rights and benefits. Contact a labor employer<\/a> in your area to learn more.<\/p>\n

Read on for more information about relevant labor laws, what a labor union does, and a list of labor unions in the U.S.<\/p>\n

What Is a Labor Union?<\/h2>\n

A labor union<\/a> is an organization of workers who use collective bargaining <\/a>to negotiate with employers for wage increases and improvements to benefits and working conditions<\/a>. These negotiations are then outlined in a union contract or collective bargaining agreement.<\/p>\n

Members often pay union dues<\/a> to support union officials. These officials provide union representation. They also advocate for employee rights and interests across various industries and trades.<\/p>\n

Relevant Labor Laws<\/h2>\n

Several labor laws protect the rights of workers to form or join labor unions. The most prominent federal law is the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)<\/a>. The NLRA grants employees the right to organize and collectively bargain. It also protects workers’ right to unionize without interference from employers.<\/p>\n

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)<\/a> enforces these protections. For more information, read FindLaw’s article \u201cWhat is the NLRB?"<\/a><\/p>\n

Knowing whether your state is a \u201cright to work" state is also important. In "right to work" states, employees can’t be compelled to join or financially support a union. Right to work laws uphold workers’ freedom to choose union representation without coercion or discrimination. Read FindLaw’s \u201cRight to Work Laws by State" <\/a>to find out whether your state is a right to work state.<\/p>\n

List of Unions in the U.S.<\/h2>\n

Unions range in size\u2014from less than a hundred union members<\/a> to millions. Labor unions exist for many different sectors and professions.<\/p>\n

For example, trade unions represent workers within specific industries or trades. Trades can include construction, healthcare, and manufacturing, among others. Police officers often belong to their own unions that negotiate on their behalf. There is a union for almost every type of profession.<\/p>\n

Most U.S. unions fall under two larger umbrella organizations:<\/p>\n

    \n

  1. The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations<\/a> (AFL-CIO)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. The Strategic Organizing Center<\/a> (SOC)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Below is a list of some of the largest unions in the U.S.<\/p>\n

    American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)<\/a><\/p>\n

    AFSCME is the largest public services employees’ union.<\/p>\n

    American Federation of Teachers (AFT)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The AFT represents educators and school-related personnel across the United States. This includes teachers, paraprofessionals, and school support staff.<\/p>\n

    American Nurses Association (ANA)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The ANA represents the interests of nurses and the nursing profession.<\/p>\n

    American Postal Workers Union (APWU)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The APWU represents employees of the United States Postal Service.<\/p>\n

    Communications Workers of America (CWA)<\/a><\/p>\n

    CWA represents public and private sector employees in the telecommunications, media, and technology industries. It also represents workers in public service, healthcare, and education.<\/p>\n

    International Association of Firefighters (IAFF)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The IAFF seeks to protect the interests of full-time professional firefighters and paramedics.<\/p>\n

    International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)<\/a><\/p>\n

    IAM advocates for workers in the aerospace, transportation, and manufacturing industries.<\/p>\n

    International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)<\/a><\/p>\n

    IBEW represents workers in utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads, and government.<\/p>\n

    International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)<\/a><\/p>\n

    ILWU represents longshoremen at all West Coast ports.<\/p>\n

    International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The IUOE represents operating engineers, health industry workers, and public employees.<\/p>\n

    International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The IUPAT represents workers in the finishing trades. This includes painting, drywall finishing, glazing, and floor covering.<\/p>\n

    Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA)<\/a><\/p>\n

    LIUNA represents workers in construction, environmental remediation, healthcare, and public service.<\/p>\n

    National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The NALC works to protect job quality for city delivery letter carriers.<\/p>\n

    National Education Association (NEA)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The NEA has over three million members. It advocates for education professionals and the cause of public education.<\/a><\/p>\n

    National Football League Players Association (NFLPA)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The NFLPA represents professional football players in the National Football League (NFL).<\/p>\n

    Service Employees International Union (SEIU)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The SEIU has over two million members. It’s dedicated to improving the lives of nurses, health care professionals, public employees, and workers in the hotel, restaurant, and hospitality industries.<\/p>\n

    Teamsters<\/a><\/p>\n

    Teamsters works to organize and educate workers toward a higher standard of living. Its membership includes freight drivers, warehouse workers, nurses, and many others.<\/p>\n

    Transport Workers Union of America (TWU)<\/a><\/p>\n

    TWU workers in various transportation industries, including airline, transit, railroad, and utilities.<\/p>\n

    UNITE HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

    Unite Here represents those in the airport, hotel, food service, laundry, warehouse, and casino gaming industries.<\/p>\n

    United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The UA represents plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, service technicians, and welders.<\/p>\n

    United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)<\/a><\/p>\n

    Represents workers primarily in the automotive, aerospace, and agricultural implement industries.<\/p>\n

    United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The UBC trains, educates, and represents professionals in the construction and wood-products industries.<\/p>\n

    United Farm Workers<\/a><\/p>\n

    UFW advocates for fair wages, benefits, and improved working conditions for farmworkers.<\/p>\n

    United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW)<\/a><\/p>\n

    The UFCW represents workers in the grocery, retail, packing, processing, chemical, cannabis, and distillery industries.<\/p>\n

    United Steel Workers (USW)<\/a><\/p>\n

    USW represents workers in steel, aluminum, and other metal industries.<\/p>\n

    Union membership in the private sector has declined. But it remains strong in the public sector. Regardless of the type of work you do, you can probably find a union representing the interests<\/a> of people in your industry\u2014whether you work in manufacturing, education, healthcare, or another field.<\/p>\n

    Joining a union can provide you with a voice in the workplace. It can also help ensure fair treatment and better working conditions.<\/p>\n

    Understand Your Legal Rights as a Worker<\/h2>\n

    It’s important to understand your rights as a worker and union member. An experienced attorney can help. Contact a local labor attorney<\/a> today to learn more about unions, your rights as a member, and laws designed to protect workers like you.<\/p>\n

    \n \n Was this helpful?<\/span>\n \n Yes<\/span>\n \n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/g>\n \n \n <\/rect>\n <\/clipPath>\n <\/defs>\n <\/svg>\n <\/i>\n <\/button>\n \n No<\/span>\n \n \n \n \n <\/g>\n \n \n \n <\/clipPath>\n <\/defs>\n <\/svg>\n <\/i>\n <\/button>\n <\/div>\n <\/span>\n