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Unionization efforts are gaining momentum in sectors once considered immune to organized labor. A growing number of white-collar workers — from bank tellers to software engineers — are beginning to see unions as tools for survival in an economy marked by layoffs, automation, and changing corporate priorities, according to The Wall Street Journal.
White-Collar Union Interest Surges Despite Historic Lows
Although union membership in the U.S. dropped to just 9.9% in 2024, interest in organizing is climbing fast. Approval of unions sits near 70%, and filings for union elections have doubled since 2021.
Much of this activity is being driven by professional workers in tech, finance, and law, which are fields traditionally seen as stable and well-compensated, but now facing unpredictable layoffs and shrinking career paths.
Tech Layoffs Spark Demand for Protections
Mass layoffs in the tech sector since 2020 have further pushed white-collar workers to seek collective bargaining power. High-profile union formations at companies like Kickstarter, Google, and Microsoft-owned Bethesda show how employees are responding to unclear layoff policies and eroding trust in management.
Organizers at these firms have secured better severance packages and health benefits, setting a precedent for others in the industry.
AI Adds Pressure to Legal and Knowledge Work
Artificial intelligence is introducing new anxiety for entry-level professionals, especially in law. While AI tools promise efficiency, they also threaten to eliminate foundational roles critical for building long-term careers.
In response, some law firms — particularly those focused on employment issues — are opening the door to unionization, though barriers remain due to federal labor laws that restrict union participation among supervisory employees.
Culture and Politics Still Pose Challenges
Despite growing support, white-collar union drives often clash with workplace culture that prizes individual competition and prestige over collective action. Legal limits on who can unionize, along with recent political setbacks — including a federal order restricting union rights in some agencies — have complicated organizing efforts.
Still, younger workers remain the most union-supportive demographic, and success stories at major companies could inspire others to follow suit.
What was once seen as unnecessary or even taboo in professional circles is now being reconsidered as economic conditions evolve. As instability creeps into formerly secure industries, unions may increasingly become part of the white-collar toolkit.
