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Unions & Democracy Project
Empowering Unions as Pillars of Fairness and Democracy
Pictured Above: Robert Reich, Host of “The Coffee Klatch”
The Unions & Democracy Project is a Democracy First Campaign Initiative that positions unions as central to both economic fairness and democratic resilience. Modeled after our fair taxation work, this project spotlights leaders like Robert Reich while building public support for policies that strengthen collective bargaining, protect workers’ rights, and curb corporate overreach.
Core Mission
Unions are essential to a balanced economy and a healthy democracy. They give working people a real voice against concentrated corporate power and help ensure that productivity gains are shared more broadly. This project advocates for pro‑union reforms like the PRO Act, sector‑wide bargaining, and strong protections against union‑busting, framing them as tools to rebuild the middle class and guard against authoritarian drift.
It aligns with Democracy First’s progressive values of economic equity, fair wages, and shared opportunity, treating unions as a form of everyday democracy on the job.
Key Components
Advocacy Campaigns
Digital and grassroots campaigns focused on union‑friendly legislation, connecting issues like underfunded public services and wage stagnation directly to the health of our democracy.
Leader Spotlights
Profiles of leaders like Robert Reich – former U.S. Secretary of Labor and economist – who argue that strong unions are vital to rebuilding the middle class and holding corporate power in check.
Public Engagement
Quizzes, voter tools, and calls to action modeled on our taxation work – such as “Contact your representatives to pass the PRO Act” or “Join discussions on union rights and workers’ protections.”
Coalition Building
Partnering with labor unions, small‑business coalitions, student groups, and pro‑democracy organizations to amplify the message that strong, independent unions are a force for middle‑class empowerment.
Why Unions Now?
With wealth inequality at record highs and public services strained, strong unions help restore balance by ensuring workers share in economic gains – much like fair taxes fund the common good. Robert Reich has repeatedly emphasized that unions “lift wages, reduce inequality, and strengthen democracy,” by countering billionaire influence and giving ordinary people real countervailing power.
A Question to Consider
If a small group of ultra‑wealthy individuals can shape politics and policy, but millions of organized workers can also speak with one voice- how do we tip the balance toward a government that truly reflects the will of the people?