Resources and Support: Organizations That Help Workers Organize

Building worker power requires more than individual courage and workplace solidarity - it demands access to resources, expertise, and support networks that can sustain organizing campaigns through inevitable challenges. Fortunately, a robust ecosystem of organizations exists to support workers at every stage of their organizing journey, from initial conversations through successful contract enforcement. This comprehensive directory connects workers with unions, legal services, educational programs, financial resources, and advocacy organizations ready to help transform workplace frustration into collective action. Understanding these resources and how to access them can mean the difference between isolated struggle and successful organizing.

National Labor Organizations and Union Federations

American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)

- Website: aflcio.org - Phone: 202-637-5000 - Services: Largest federation of unions representing 12.5 million workers across 60 unions. Provides organizing support, political advocacy, strategic research, and coordinates solidarity between affiliated unions. - How to Connect: Contact through website's "Form a Union" portal for connection to appropriate affiliated union. Regional labor councils provide local support. - Special Programs: Organizing Institute trains new organizers; Working America engages non-union workers; Union Summer provides student organizing experiences.

Change to Win Federation

- Website: changetowin.org - Unions: SEIU, Teamsters, UFCW, and affiliated unions representing 4.5 million workers - Focus: Strategic organizing in growth sectors including healthcare, transportation, retail, and hospitality - Approach: Emphasizes industry-wide organizing and comprehensive campaigns

National Education Association (NEA)

- Website: nea.org - Members: 3 million educators - Services: Largest union in the U.S., providing organizing support for education professionals including teachers, support staff, and higher education faculty - State Affiliates: Strong presence in all 50 states with local organizing support

Major Unions by Industry

Service and Healthcare

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - Website: seiu.org - Workers Represented: Healthcare workers, janitors, security officers, food service workers, public employees - Organizing Approach: Industry-wide campaigns, Fight for $15, immigrant worker organizing - Contact: 1-800-424-8592

National Nurses United (NNU) - Website: nationalnursesunited.org - Focus: Registered nurses and healthcare professionals - Key Issues: Safe staffing ratios, workplace safety, patient advocacy - Organizing Support: Comprehensive campaigns linking patient care to worker conditions

Manufacturing and Industrial

United Auto Workers (UAW) - Website: uaw.org - Industries: Auto manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, higher education - Recent Campaigns: Southern auto plants, graduate student workers, tech workers - Resources: Strike fund, organizing department, research support

United Steelworkers (USW) - Website: usw.org - Coverage: Steel, aluminum, mining, rubber, healthcare, education - Global Reach: International solidarity networks, global framework agreements - Training: Extensive education programs for members and organizers

Transportation and Logistics

International Brotherhood of Teamsters - Website: teamster.org - Workers: Truck drivers, warehouse workers, airline employees, public sector - Amazon Project: Dedicated division organizing Amazon workers nationally - Resources: Large strike fund, experienced organizers, political influence

Transport Workers Union (TWU) - Website: twu.org - Coverage: Airlines, railroads, transit, utilities - Approach: Militant organizing tradition, strong contract enforcement

Retail and Food

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) - Website: ufcw.org - Industries: Grocery, meatpacking, retail, cannabis, healthcare - Organizing: Focus on non-union chains, immigrant workers - Support: Legal services, safety and health resources

UNITE HERE - Website: unitehere.org - Workers: Hotel, gaming, food service, airport, textile workers - Strategy: Comprehensive campaigns involving community allies - Innovation: Digital organizing tools, multilingual support

Construction and Trades

Building and Construction Trades Department (AFL-CIO) - Website: nabtu.org - Unions: 14 affiliated construction unions - Apprenticeships: Extensive training programs providing career pathways - Approach: Project labor agreements, prevailing wage advocacy

Public Sector

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) - Website: afscme.org - Members: 1.4 million public service workers - Coverage: State and local government, healthcare, corrections - Post-Janus: Innovative internal organizing maintaining membership

American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) - Website: afge.org - Represents: Federal government employees - Challenges: Limited bargaining rights requiring creative advocacy - Support: Strong legal department, legislative advocacy

Legal Resources and Workers' Rights Organizations

National Employment Law Project (NELP)

- Website: nelp.org - Focus: Policy advocacy, workers' rights education, strategic support - Resources: Know-your-rights materials, policy briefs, organizing guides - Issues: Minimum wage, unemployment insurance, immigrant worker rights

Workplace Fairness

- Website: workplacefairness.org - Services: Free legal information, attorney referrals, know-your-rights resources - Coverage: All aspects of employment law including organizing rights - Tools: Interactive resources, sample letters, legal guides

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

- Website: nlrb.gov - Phone: 1-844-762-NLRB - Services: Enforces federal labor law, conducts union elections, investigates unfair labor practices - Resources: Regional office contacts, forms, case law database - Apps: Mobile app for filing charges and accessing information

A Better Balance

- Website: abetterbalance.org - Focus: Work-family legal support including paid leave, pregnancy accommodations - Services: Free legal clinic, policy advocacy, know-your-rights resources - Helpline: 1-833-NEED-ABB

National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)

- Website: nela.org - Services: Attorney referrals for employment law including labor organizing - Find a Lawyer: State-by-state directory of employee-side attorneys - Resources: Worker rights information, legal updates

Worker Centers and Community Organizations

National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)

- Website: ndlon.org - Network: Over 70 worker centers nationwide - Focus: Day laborers, domestic workers, immigrant workers - Programs: Leadership development, policy advocacy, legal support

National Domestic Workers Alliance

- Website: domesticworkers.org - Coverage: Nannies, house cleaners, care workers - Achievements: Domestic worker bills of rights in multiple states - Support: Local chapters, training programs, policy campaigns

Restaurant Opportunities Centers United

- Website: rocunited.org - Industry: Restaurant workers nationwide - Approach: Worker organizing, employer engagement, policy change - Programs: Training, cooperative development, research

Workers Defense Project

- Website: workersdefense.org - Location: Texas-based with national influence - Focus: Construction workers, immigrant rights - Model: Combines direct services with policy advocacy

Make the Road New York/Nevada/Connecticut/New Jersey/Pennsylvania

- Website: maketheroadny.org - Approach: Multi-issue organizing combining workplace, immigration, and community issues - Services: Legal support, education, leadership development - Scale: Largest immigrant-led organization in New York

Educational and Training Resources

Labor Education Programs

Cornell University ILR School - Website: ilr.cornell.edu - Programs: Online certificates, executive education, research resources - Focus: Labor relations, organizing, collective bargaining - Access: Many free resources and reasonably priced online courses

University of California Berkeley Labor Center - Website: laborcenter.berkeley.edu - Research: Cutting-edge studies on organizing strategies - Training: Programs for union members and organizers - Resources: Publications, policy briefs, educational materials

Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations - Website: smlr.rutgers.edu - Programs: Degree programs, continuing education, labor studies - Focus: Traditional and innovative organizing approaches

Training Organizations

Labor Notes - Website: labornotes.org - Publication: Monthly magazine covering organizing strategies - Conference: Biennial gathering of thousands of labor activists - Resources: "Secrets of a Successful Organizer" training program - Approach: Rank-and-file focused, militant traditions

Highlander Research and Education Center - Website: highlandercenter.org - History: Trained civil rights and labor leaders for decades - Programs: Multi-issue organizing linking labor, racial, and environmental justice - Approach: Popular education methodology

National Labor College (Archives) - Website: nationalcollege.edu (archived resources) - Legacy: Though closed, archives provide valuable educational materials - Resources: Online courses, research, organizing guides

Financial Resources and Strike Funds

Emergency Financial Assistance

Union Community Fund - Purpose: Emergency assistance for workers involved in organizing - Eligibility: Workers facing retaliation, strikes, or organizing hardships - Support: Grants for basic needs during campaigns

Coworker Solidarity Fund - Website: coworker.org/solidarity-fund - Focus: Crowdfunding for workers in organizing campaigns - Platform: Enables public support for specific struggles - Success Stories: Numerous campaigns funded through small donations

Strike Funds (Union-Specific) - Access: Through specific unions during authorized strikes - Coverage: Typically partial wage replacement during strikes - Requirements: Varies by union, often requires membership good standing

Funding for Organizations

Foundation Support - Ford Foundation: Funds worker justice initiatives - Open Society Foundations: Supports immigrant worker organizing - Kellogg Foundation: Economic security programs - Local Foundations: Community foundations often support worker organizing

Government Grants - Department of Labor: Training grants, Susan Harwood safety grants - State Programs: Vary by state, often include worker education funding - Local Initiatives: City programs supporting worker cooperatives, centers

Digital Organizing Tools and Platforms

Communication and Coordination

Coworker.org - Website: coworker.org - Function: Platform for workplace campaigns and petitions - Tools: Petition creation, supporter recruitment, media amplification - Success Rate: Thousands of successful workplace campaigns

Action Network - Website: actionnetwork.org - Purpose: Digital organizing platform for email, events, petitions - Cost: Free for small organizations, sliding scale - Features: Integration with other organizing tools

Unit - Website: unitworkers.com - Focus: Connecting workers with unions for organizing - Process: Simple intake form, union matching, organizer connection - Coverage: Nationwide, multiple industries

Research and Information

LittleSis - Website: littlesis.org - Purpose: Research tool mapping corporate power structures - Use: Identify corporate boards, connections, pressure points - Access: Free with registration

Violation Tracker - Website: violationtracker.org - Database: Corporate violations including labor law violations - Coverage: Federal and state enforcement actions - Use: Research employer history for organizing campaigns

Specialized Support Organizations

Immigration and Worker Rights

National Immigration Law Center - Website: nilc.org - Focus: Intersection of immigration and worker rights - Resources: Know-your-rights materials, legal guidance - Advocacy: Policy work supporting immigrant workers

United We Dream - Website: unitedwedream.org - Constituency: Immigrant youth and workers - Programs: Leadership development, know-your-rights, organizing support

Health and Safety

National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) - Website: coshnetwork.org - Network: Local COSH groups providing safety training - Focus: Worker health and safety rights, training - Support: Assistance during organizing around safety issues

Women Workers

9to5, National Association of Working Women - Website: 9to5.org - Focus: Women's workplace rights, organizing support - Issues: Pay equity, family leave, discrimination - Resources: Helpline, organizing guides, policy advocacy

Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) - Website: cluw.org - Membership: Union women across all industries - Programs: Leadership development, organizing support - Focus: Women's issues within labor movement

International Solidarity Organizations

Global Union Federations

IndustriALL Global Union - Website: industriall-union.org - Coverage: Manufacturing, mining, energy sectors globally - Support: International solidarity, global framework agreements

UNI Global Union - Website: uniglobalunion.org - Sectors: Services, tech, care work internationally - Campaigns: Amazon, multinational service companies

International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) - Website: itfglobal.org - Industries: Aviation, maritime, road, rail transport - Programs: Flags of convenience campaign, global organizing

Solidarity Networks

Labour Start - Website: labourstart.org - Function: International labor news and solidarity campaigns - Action: Online campaigns supporting workers globally - Languages: Multiple language options

International Labor Rights Forum - Website: laborrights.org - Focus: Global supply chains, worker rights - Campaigns: Corporate accountability, trade policy - Resources: Research, advocacy tools

Quick Reference Contact List

Emergency Organizing Support

- NLRB Hotline: 1-844-762-NLRB - AFL-CIO: 202-637-5000 - Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee: workerorganizing.org

Legal Help

- NELP: [email protected] - Workplace Fairness: 1-844-485-1766 - Local legal aid: Search "legal aid + [your city]"

Industry-Specific Organizing

- Healthcare: NNU (510-273-2200) or SEIU Healthcare (800-424-8592) - Retail: UFCW (202-223-3111) or RWDSU (212-684-5300) - Transportation: Teamsters (202-624-6800) or TWU (212-873-6000) - Tech: CODE-CWA (501-455-7416) or OPEIU (212-675-3210)

Worker Centers by Region

- Northeast: Make the Road NY (718-418-7690) - South: Workers Defense Project (512-391-2305) - West: NDLON member centers (ndlon.org/members) - Midwest: Arise Chicago (773-769-6000)

Using These Resources Effectively

Getting Started

1. Identify your industry and relevant unions 2. Contact multiple organizations for perspectives 3. Attend public events before committing 4. Verify credentials and success records 5. Trust your instincts about organizational fit

Building Relationships

- Be clear about your goals and timeline - Ask about specific support available - Understand any costs or commitments - Request references from similar campaigns - Maintain independence while accepting support

Maximizing Support

- Engage multiple organizations for different needs - Combine union support with community allies - Use educational resources for committee development - Access legal support early and often - Build solidarity networks beyond immediate workplace

Red Flags to Avoid

- Organizations charging workers excessive fees - Groups promising unrealistic outcomes - Anyone discouraging contact with other organizations - Pressure to sign exclusive agreements prematurely - Lack of transparency about funding or governance

The ecosystem of support for worker organizing continues expanding as new challenges emerge and innovative solutions develop. While this directory provides comprehensive current information, organizations evolve, new groups form, and contact information changes. Workers should verify current information and explore multiple resources to find the best fit for their specific situation. Remember that successful organizing ultimately depends on worker solidarity and commitment - external resources support but cannot replace grassroots workplace organization.

No single organization holds all answers or provides complete support. Building worker power requires weaving together assistance from multiple sources while maintaining worker leadership and ownership of the struggle. These resources exist to serve worker organizing, not direct it. Use them strategically to build the collective power necessary for transforming workplaces and creating the dignity, respect, and justice all workers deserve.

The journey from workplace frustration to collective action may seem daunting, but thousands of workers successfully organize every year using these resources. Whether seeking a traditional union, exploring alternative models, or building something entirely new, support exists for workers ready to stand together. The hardest step is often the first - reaching out for help. These organizations stand ready to assist, support, and amplify worker voices in the eternal struggle for workplace democracy and economic justice.