Union Now Rally in New York City Sparks Drive to Revive Ailing US Labor Movement
On 12 April 2026, a rally at Terminal 5 in New York City marked the launch of Union Now, a non-profit initiative aimed at revitalizing the struggling US labor movement. Leaders from major unions, including Sara Nelson of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, unveiled this effort to reverse the decline in union membership and address growing wealth inequality under Donald Trump's administration.
Putting Power in the Hands of Workers
Sara Nelson emphasized that Union Now seeks to empower workers by making it easier to join unions and strengthening their negotiating power against large corporations. She highlighted a stark disparity: while 70% of workers express a desire for union representation, only 10% currently have it. Nelson argued that if this were a business scenario, companies would find ways to meet such high demand, urging workers to adopt a similar strategic mindset.
The initiative aims to provide financial resources for mobilizing workers, as Nelson noted that existing unions cannot allocate all their funds to organizing due to ongoing responsibilities like contract negotiations and member representation. Union Now will support recognition strikes, contract strikes, and legal battles against employers who illegally fire workers during organizing drives.
Historical Decline and Current Challenges
Union density in the US has plummeted from over 30% in the 1950s to just 10% in 2025, despite widespread public approval. Membership peaked at 21 million in 1979 but has since dropped to 14.7 million, even as the population grew by more than 100 million. Julie Su, New York City's deputy mayor for economic justice and former labor secretary under Biden, pointed out that delays in securing first contracts effectively serve as union-busting tactics, exacerbated by a National Labor Relations Board perceived as hostile under Trump.
On average, it takes more than 450 days to reach a first union contract, with many employers prolonging negotiations for years after workers vote to unionize. Su stressed that cities like New York must leverage all available tools to support organizing efforts and set clear expectations for companies they engage with.
High-Profile Organizing Efforts and Employer Opposition
At the rally, Senator Bernie Sanders and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani rallied workers to challenge billionaire power. Participants included employees from high-profile campaigns facing staunch opposition from companies like Amazon, Starbucks, REI, Delta Air Lines, and Wells Fargo. For instance, Brittany Norris, a Delta flight attendant, highlighted the ongoing effort to unionize 30,000 attendants at the last major US airline without such representation, despite Delta's firm anti-union stance.
Similarly, Starbucks workers, such as Mina Leon, shared experiences of being understaffed and overpaid, with unionization efforts dragging on for years without a first contract. Connor Spence of the Amazon Labor Union described Amazon's four-year battle to overturn a union election victory, emphasizing the resilience of workers against employer tactics aimed at fostering futility and despair.
Corporate Responses and Future Outlook
Delta Air Lines reiterated its opposition to unionization, citing a culture where employees have historically rejected representation. Amazon denied allegations of interfering with union rights, asserting it provides competitive benefits and safe workplaces. Starbucks did not respond to requests for comment on the ongoing disputes.
Union Now represents a concerted push to address systemic issues in the labor movement, with leaders calling for collective action to overcome employer resistance and legal hurdles. As wealth inequality continues to grow, this initiative aims to restore union strength and ensure workers' rights are upheld in an increasingly challenging economic landscape.
