Modernizing Union Labor in Construction

The history of labor unions in the United States reflects a long journey toward improving workers' rights. Workers have come together for centuries to form unions and strike for better conditions. In the early 1800s, they would stop working to protest against poor conditions and low wages. During that period, unions were regarded as unlawful, and organizations had limited rights to get legal support from the courts and the media.

Unions became more powerful and, over time, had a profound impact on the lives of workers. They work to create safe, effective working conditions as well as better lives for union members. Unions have developed mechanisms to negotiate with the administration on behalf of workers, guaranteeing essential benefits like proper wages, affordable healthcare, job security, and regular timetables. They also monitor employers to confirm they comply with workplace laws and address issues like safety and discrimination. 

What are Labor Unions?

Labor unions are groups that support workers across different industries. Their main focus is on improving job conditions and protecting workers' rights. They create agreements that cover salaries, benefits, work hours, and workforce safety measures. Unions can also initiate strikes, provide legal assistance, and negotiate conflicts.

In the United States, the importance of labor unions has been recognized since the 1935 National Labor Relations Act. Today, millions of Americans are union members, representing diverse backgrounds and professions. These individuals understand the power of collective action and recognize that working together can lead to more powerful outcomes compared to isolated efforts.

Rise of Unions in the United States

The first unions in the U.S. began in the late 18th century, with the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers established in 1794 in Philadelphia. Early unions focused on fair pricing, defending trades from cheap labor, and advocating for shorter work days during the Industrial Revolution. They were inspired by the Ricardian labor theory of value and the republican ideals of the American Revolution, which highlighted social equality and virtuous citizenship.

The labor movement also aimed to address broader social inequalities caused by industrial capitalism, leading to reform efforts such as the workingmen’s parties of the 1830s. Notable groups included the National Labor Union (1866) and the Knights of Labor (1869). Knights of Labor is the first prominent labor organization in the USA.  These reform movements and trade unions, although different in focus, were part of a unified labor movement with shared leadership and goals.

As unions grew throughout the 19th century, craft unions representing skilled workers became more prominent. However, by the 1880s, the focus on strikes and industrial organization by the Knights of Labor led to tensions, resulting in its collapse due to lack of leadership, strong opposition from employers and government forces, and poor communication. The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was formed in 1886 as a result of a division within the labor movement. Samuel Gompers led the AFL until 1924.

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State of Labor Unions in the 21st Century

Today, most labor unions in the U.S. are part of either the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL–CIO) or the Strategic Organizing Center (SOC). These organizations support worker-friendly policies and labor legislation in the U.S. and Canada. 

Union membership has dropped from 30% in the 1950s to around 11% today. In 2023, it fell slightly from 10.3% to 10.1%. Although the private sector added 191,000 new union members, the overall rate stayed at 6% due to increased hiring. The public sector had about 7.0 million unionized workers. Similarly, union workers earn more, enjoy greater job security, and have safer working conditions compared to nonunion workers. 

For unions to succeed today, they must work closely with management to address various challenges, such as the evolving workforce with more women and current healthcare issues. By collaborating with companies, unions can help cut costs, retain employees, and improve job security and satisfaction. They focus on lowering healthcare costs, involving more workers, and adapting to technological advancements. 

Trade unions have expanded their digital capabilities to better represent and serve members. They use social media for campaigns, create apps for organizing and filing complaints, and maintain digital membership databases. To stay successful, unions must also involve more workers and help them adapt to the constantly evolving technology landscape.

Impact of Construction Unions in the U.S.

Construction unions represent workers in the construction industry. These workers include those who operate heavy machinery, surveyors, mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and other tradespeople. Historically, construction workers tolerated tough conditions, and long hours, often working 60 to 90 hours per week. This difficult and sometimes dangerous work is a key reason for the existence of these unions.

Construction unions advocate for workers' rights by negotiating collective bargaining agreements. They work to secure fair wages and safe working conditions for their members. In addition to bargaining, these unions also offer training and apprenticeship programs to develop skilled labor.

Today, nearly all construction trades, including carpenters, roofers, electricians, and masons, are represented by unions. These organizations play an important role in improving working conditions and supporting workers in the industry.

Why Unions are so Critical in Construction?

Construction workers and their unions have fought for better workplace protections and have achieved significant progress. Unions are crucial in representing workers during negotiations for better safety standards. 

Here are some key reasons why unions are necessary in construction:

Negotiating Power

Unions support their members during negotiations with employers, giving workers a united voice to push for fair treatment, higher wages, and better working conditions. Through collective bargaining agreements, unions establish terms related to salaries, hours, and benefits. This process promotes a democratic workplace where employees have a voice in decisions about their working conditions. They can also elect representatives to negotiate on their behalf.

Apprenticeship Programs 

Unions invest in training and skill development. These programs combine hands-on training and mentorship with classroom instruction. It allows apprentices to gain practical experience while learning the theoretical aspects of their trade from experienced professionals. After finishing their basic training, managers and superintendents also receive specialized training and engage in some hands-on work. Apprenticeships help lower youth unemployment and increase wages. For instance, participants earn $124,000 more over their careers compared to non-participants. In construction, apprentices receive training in safety and equipment use.

Skill Development and Certification

Union apprenticeships often lead to certification in various trades, which is highly valued in the industry. They conduct workshops, seminars, and different ongoing training and certification programs. Certified workers are recognized for their advanced skills and are often preferred by employers. It can lead to better job opportunities and higher wages. 

Attracting New Talent

The younger generation is increasingly interested in trade schools and union jobs as they research opportunities in today’s job market. Unions draw this younger crowd by showcasing the advantages of union work and trade education, highlighting the long-term career prospects, stability, and benefits of union membership. Additionally, young trade unionists have the chance to participate in international training programs, gaining new skills and insights from their peers around the world. 

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How Does Kwant Support Union Workers?

Reflecting on the history of unions and their fight for workers' rights, technology has become essential in modernizing these efforts. Kwant is a leading construction workforce management platform that places a strong emphasis on worker safety and privacy. We are hyper-focused on supporting workers by ensuring safety and privacy are central to our platform. Kwant also allows for the anonymization of worker information, giving contractors control over the data collected. 

Kwant mainly focuses on the safety area, preventing unfavorable conditions at work. We make sure that employees are properly compensated and managed. Our advanced tools include smart badges with fall detection and SOS alerts. It enhances safety incident response speeds and supports workers when they need it most. The platform also features proactive safety planning with mass communication methods and high-risk zone alerting to prevent accidents. With these features, the construction industry can immediately communicate with the workforce and contractors during emergencies with mass text alerts. 

Similarly, Kwant provides safety certifications and compliance is rigorously met, so only qualified and trained workers are on-site. Using Kwant construction companies can do real-time location tracking for workers, equipment, and materials, along with automated scheduling and performance monitoring. It supports efficient project management and adherence to safety standards.

Additionally, our contactless access control system with an automated check-in page provides clear visibility of job site access. It works with or without turnstiles, is suitable for both union and non-union projects, and flags uncertified personnel upon entry, automating headcount and reducing administrative tasks while supporting payroll validation.

Kwant Partnering with Unions for Enhanced Safety

As unions continue to evolve and improve worker protection, Kwant is at the forefront of integrating technology to support these efforts. Our partnerships with numerous unions nationwide including those in New Jersey, New York, Southern California, Pennsylvania, St. Louis, and Detroit show our commitment to supporting both union and non-union projects with state-of-the-art solutions. 

Kwant’s platform is designed to address the specific needs of the construction industry. It ranges from improving safety and compliance to optimizing workforce management. Interested in seeing how Kwant can benefit your organization? Request a demo today. Discover how our platform can transform your workforce management and safety practices.