Resolution No. 12: Organizing for Power

WHEREAS, we are living in an era of unmatched corporate greed in which CEO pay has risen by over 1,000 percent since the 1970s and attention is fixated on increasing earnings and value for shareholders rather than the workers whose time and energy guarantee a company’s success, resulting in rising income inequality at unprecedented levels; and

WHEREAS, raises for non-union workers have not been keeping up with inflation rates, worker pay has increased by only 24 percent in the same time frame, and union density in both Canada and the U.S. is the lowest in decades; and

WHEREAS the combination of stagnant wages and declining union presence in our countries contributes to a growing sense of frustration and inequality among workers, highlighting the urgent need for renewed efforts to strengthen labor rights and drastically expand union representation; and

WHEREAS, workers can make sustainable changes to the quality of their lives by asserting their rights to collective bargaining and freedom of association, and only through unionizing can they directly advocate with their employer for fair wages, better working conditions, job and retirement security and more equitable workplaces; and

WHEREAS, for our families, communities, and countries to succeed, workers must be paid fair wages, have safer and healthier workplaces, and assert more influence over lawmakers than corporate interests, and we have seen in multiple places over generations that a strong union presence builds healthier, more connected communities; and

WHEREAS, in both the U.S. and Canada, workers are under attack from government actions that further undermine workers' rights and make it more difficult for them to secure employment, fair wages, benefits, and job security, potentially exacerbating income inequality and weakening the power of collective bargaining; and

WHEREAS, organizing new workers strengthens and grows the power of our existing membership by uniting workers around shared goals, amplifying their collective voice, and enhancing their ability to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions, thereby fostering solidarity and strengthening our union; and

WHEREAS, it is essential to keep our existing union membership strong and unified while actively working to bring in non-members to ensure a larger, more diverse collective voice that can advocate more effectively for workers’ rights, increase our bargaining power, and strengthen our ability to fight against unjust practices and policies that threaten the well-being of all workers; and

WHEREAS, in order to make the best use of our resources, we must be intentional about where we grow our union rather than solely relying on unrepresented workers to contact us, and we have seen success since the last convention with our model of strategic organizing by bringing in more than 10,000 members in sectors and locations where we have existing members, thereby growing our union’s power in multiple ways;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:

1. We will keep organizing within our core industries and strategically focus on employers with whom we already have a bargaining relationship, aiming to strengthen our bargaining power for current members and improve conditions for all workers. Our priority will be to include neutrality and card check election clauses in our contracts, making it easier to expand membership within employers where we already have a presence.
2. We will also prioritize securing neutrality agreements with employers to ensure fair union elections, allowing workers to make their own decisions without employer interference. By obtaining neutrality, we will prevent tactics like intimidation or misinformation, to create a level playing field where workers can freely assess the benefits of unionizing and make informed choices about their representation. This will help ensure that union elections are democratic and truly reflective of workers’ voices.
3. Our union will actively recruit members to train for participation in organizing campaigns through President Conway’s Organizing Initiative (PCOI). We will focus on expanding our efforts to build a more diverse group of organizer-activists and work to remove institutional barriers that may prevent talented members from having the opportunity to contribute to the growth of our union.
4. Our union will prioritize negotiating enhanced leave-of-absence and new employee orientation provisions in our collective bargaining agreements. This will provide USW activists with the opportunity to organize unorganized workers and educate new members about the structure, functions, and benefits of our union.
5. In those U.S. states where local unions are unfairly obligated to use resources representing non-members who benefit from the union’s efforts without contributing to its sustainability, local unions, in collaboration with their districts, will continue to develop and expand internal organizing programs. These efforts will focus on increasing membership, thereby strengthening bargaining power.
6. We will work with local unions on internal organizing because it not only boosts membership but also fosters greater stability within the union by ensuring that all workers who benefit from union representation contribute to its strength. As membership grows and becomes more active, our union becomes more unified and resilient, enhancing its ability to advocate for workers’ rights and secure better conditions for all members.
7. We will actively identify, cultivate, and maintain strong relationships with community organizations and allies who share our commitment to supporting workers in their workplaces and their broader communities. By building these partnerships, we aim to create a network of solidarity that extends beyond the workplace, allowing us to amplify our collective voice and advocate for policies that benefit workers on a larger scale. By deepening these connections, we foster a sense of community and solidarity that benefits our members and creates a more just and equitable society for all.
8. We will strategically focus on workplaces in sectors, regions, and demographics that are conducive to unionization, such as younger workers, women, people of color, and new immigrants to both Canada and the United States, with a particular emphasis on larger workplaces and potential bargaining units where we can establish lasting bargaining power. In addition, we will prioritize new and established manufacturing plants in the U.S. South where there are significant opportunities for growth and organizing. By targeting these key areas, we aim to build a strong, sustainable union presence and increase our influence in workplaces that can benefit most from collective action.