Unions have shaped many of the workplace rights we rely on today, from the 40-hour workweek to overtime protections, safer working conditions, and more. Their impact is felt by workers every day. Across the United States, public support for unions is at its highest point in decades. More workers are realizing that when people stand together, they hold real power to demand fair treatment, secure stronger protections, and negotiate for better pay and benefits.
For APC members, this story is familiar. Our union has achieved concrete improvements at the CSU system, including meaningful raises, improved benefits, and protections that support the critical work Unit 4 does every day. Being part of a union means you donlt have to face challenges alone. Together, we can continue building a stronger and more secure future for all.
The Lasting Legacy of Unions
The story of unions in the United States is one of progress and persistence. Imagine what life was like before workers organized: people routinely labored 12 to 14 hours a day, six or seven days a week, often in unsafe conditions. Children worked in factories instead of going to school. Wages were kept low because workers had little power to push back.
It was in these circumstances that ordinary people made extraordinary choices. They joined together, risked their livelihoods, and often faced fierce opposition to demand something better. Because of their courage, many of the protections we now consider standard became reality:
- The 40-hour workweek that protects workers from excessive hours.
- Overtime pay that ensures additional work is fairly compensated.
- Workplace safety standards that prevent accidents and save lives.
- Child labor laws that protect young people from exploitation.
- Anti-discrimination protections that reinforce fairness and equity in the workplace.
These rights weren’t simply handed down. They were won through collective action, persistence, and sacrifice. For that, we owe a deep measure of gratitude to the generations of workers who refused to settle for less than dignity and respect on the job.
The legacy of unions is powerful, but it is not just history. Today, unions continue to play a vital role in shaping what fairness at work looks like.
Positive Trends Today
Union activity in higher education is booming, and it’s not just talk. Across public and private institutions, educators, student workers, and researchers are organizing in growing numbers.
Graduate student workers at places like the University of California, Rutgers, Stanford, and Yale have led major campaigns and secured contracts that address wages, benefits, and workplace protections. One of the largest efforts was Student Researchers United-UAW, representing more than 17,000 researchers across UC campuses. At the time, it was the largest academic student employee campaign in the country. Today, that legacy continues through UAW Local 4811, which represents nearly 48,000 academic employees at UC after recent mergers.
These higher education wins are part of a much larger surge across industries:
- Starbucks: More than 400 stores have voted to unionize since 2021, with workers pushing for contracts nationwide.
- Amazon: Warehouse workers in Staten Island made history in 2022 by voting to unionize, inspiring efforts at other facilities.
- Apple: In June 2022, retail employees in Towson, Maryland became the first Apple workers in the U.S. to successfully unionize.
- Tech and gaming: Developers at Activision Blizzard and Microsoft studios have formed unions, showing the momentum spreading into industries once thought unreachable.
The trend is clear: whether in education, health care, retail, or technology, more workers are choosing to unionize. They want fair pay, stronger protections, and respect at work, and unions are proving every day that these goals are achievable. Here in California, that momentum has reached the CSU system. In February 2024, more than 20,000 undergraduate student assistants voted overwhelmingly to unionize with SEIU Local 2579, creating the largest undergraduate student worker union in the United States.
Recent Wins with APC
APC shows every day how union advocacy delivers real improvements for members. In just the past year, our collective efforts secured meaningful gains across the CSU system:
- Wage Increase: Through the 2024–2027 contract, APC negotiated pay raises that have already been disbursed, and we will continue to bargain for more increases moving forward. These raises recognize the critical role Unit 4 employees play in student success.
- Better protections and benefits: The current agreement includes workload protections and stronger provisions that safeguard the rights of APC members, ensuring fair treatment across campuses.
- Future bargaining already underway: Preparations for the 2025–2026 bargaining process are in motion. By staying engaged and active, APC members help shape the priorities that will drive the next round of negotiations.
These wins demonstrate what is possible when members stand together. Every contract, every raise, and every protection in place is the direct result of union solidarity.
Looking Ahead
The impact of unions in the United States is clear. From historic wins like the 40-hour workweek to the new wave of organizing today, one truth is clear: progress is never given, it’s won together.
APC is part of that story, with recent victories at CSU showing what is possible when members use their collective voice.
We want to thank the APC members who already stand with us and make these wins possible.
If you’re not yet a member, now is the time to join. By standing together, we can ensure that every Unit 4 employee has the wages, protections, and respect they deserve. Talk with your local steward on your campus today, or connect with the Organizing Committee for more information.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we can continue shaping a fairer, more secure future for Unit 4 employees.
Sources:
Student Researchers United-UAW and UAW Local 4811
UAW Local 4811
Starbucks union votes
Amazon Staten Island vote
Apple Towson union
Activision Blizzard / Microsoft game workers union
CSU student assistants vote