public-employee union

A public-employee union, also known as a labor organization, is an association of workers formed to improve their pay, benefits, working conditions, and social or political standing through collective bargaining. These unions originated in the 19th century in Great Britain, continental Europe, and the United States.1

While private sector employees have federal protections for unionizing, public sector employees' rights vary by location. In the United States, for example, there is no federal right for public sector employees to unionize, though some states grant these rights. Public sector unions advocate for workers like educators, social workers, firefighters, and police officers, aiming to provide them with a voice to serve their communities effectively. These unions can also serve as a pathway to the middle class for women and workers of color, who are disproportionately represented in the public sector.2