Interested in unions and collective bargaining? We’re here to help.

60 million non-union workers in the U.S. say they would join a union if given the chance, but many don’t know where to begin. The Worker Organizing Resource and Knowledge (WORK) Center is a one-stop shop for information and resources on unions and collective bargaining for workers, employers, unions, government agencies, students and anyone interested in unions and collective bargaining.

Scroll down to learn how unions improve the lives of all workers, and how they support the Department of Labor's mission.

  • Welcome to the WORK Center

    Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh explains why the department is prioritizing empowering workers to organize.

  • Unions 101

    Unions 101

    What is a union, and how can you form one?

  • The Union Advantage

    The Union Advantage

    Learn how joining a union can improve pay and benefits, especially for women and people of color.

  • Hear From Workers

    family sitting at home

    Hear from workers about how organizing improved their workplaces--and lives.

  • Unions in our Communities and Democracy

    Unions and democracy

    Find out how unions help keep our economy and democracy strong.

  • Labor-Management Partnerships

    Labor-Management Partnerships

    Learn more about how unions and employers have worked together to improve workplaces.

Additional resources

Print Publications

  • Bargaining for the Common Good: An Emerging Tool for Re-Building Worker Power, in No One Size Fits All - Joseph A. McCartin and Marilyn Sneiderman
  • Labor Unions and White Racial Politics - Jake Grumbach and Paul Frymer
  • Unions, Worker Voice, and Management Practices: Implications for a High Productivity, High-Wage Economy -- Thomas A. Kochan and William T. Kimball

  • The DOL Good Jobs Initiative is focused on providing critical information to workers, employers, and government agencies as they work to improve job quality and create access to good jobs free from discrimination and harassment for all working people.
  • These eight Good Jobs Principles by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Commerce create a framework for workers, businesses, labor unions, advocates, researchers, and federal agencies for a shared vision of job quality.
  • Find private and public sector labor Union Membership, Coverage, Density, and Employmentestimates compiled from the monthly household Current Population Survey (CPS).
  • This report of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment lists more than 70 actions executive branch agencies are taking to support worker organizing and collective bargaining.
  • The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) enforces organizing and bargaining rights and labor-management relations of federal employees in the United States.
  • In this video produced by the Federal Labor Relations Authority, learn about Labor-Management Forums, how they can be integrated into the collective bargaining process using Pre-Decisional Involvement, and on ways they can improve labor-management relations in the federal government.

New and noteworthy

WATCH: 5 ways unions benefit all of us

WATCH: 5 ways unions benefit all of us

From raising wages to shrinking the racial wage gap, U.S. Department of Labor Chief Economist Joelle Gamble explains how unions benefit all of us.

4 Ways Unions Complement the Department of Labor's Mission

4 Ways Unions Complement the Department of Labor's Mission

Read more about the many ways in which unions complement the Department of Labor's mission to improve the lives of America's workers.

Voluntary Recognition on the Rise

Voluntary Recognition on the Rise

More employers are staying neutral in worker organizing campaigns and voluntarily recognizing their workers' choice, according to a new report.

Unions Help Close the Pay Gap for Working Women

Unions Help Close the Pay Gap for Working Women

March is Women's History Month. Read this OpEd about how unions benefit working women and help close the gender pay gap.

Multilateral Partnership for Organizing, Worker Empowerment, and Rights (M-POWER) Initiative

Multilateral Partnership for Organizing, Worker Empowerment, and Rights (M-POWER) Initiative

The International Labor Affairs Bureau is teaming with other federal agencies to promote unions and freedom of association around the world.

Protection From Retaliation

Protection From Retaliation

The Department of Labor's mission and enforcement depends on the cooperation of workers. This new FAQ explains the process for requesting DOL support for requests to the DHS for immigration-related prosecutorial discretion, such as deferred action, during labor disputes. 

Share your story​​

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What has organizing a union meant for you? How have labor-management partnerships improved your business? We want to hear your story.

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