Union Elections and Participation Decline in 2025
The number of union elections overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decreased by 30% in 2025 after actions taken during the Trump administration significantly weakened the federal labor agency, according to an analysis published on Wednesday.
Worker participation in union elections fell by 59,000, marking a 42% decline compared to the previous year, based on data from the Center for American Progress. The total number of union elections dropped from a decade-high of 2,124 in 2024 to 1,498 in 2025.
The success rate of union elections also declined, falling to 69.8% in 2025 after reaching 72% in 2023.
Role and Impact of the NLRB
The NLRB is responsible for enforcing labor laws in the private sector, including conducting union elections and enforcing the National Labor Relations Act. Workers file petitions with the NLRB to hold elections when they have agreed to form a union but their employer does not voluntarily recognize it.
Since the beginning of his second term, former President Donald Trump implemented unprecedented measures to diminish the board's authority.
Shortly after taking office, Trump removed NLRB board member Gwynne Wilcox, leaving the board without the quorum necessary to make decisions. When the quorum was eventually restored, Trump appointed two Republicans to fill the vacant seats, establishing a conservative majority.
Although the NLRB was established to protect workers' rights and adjudicate disputes, the political composition of the board heavily influences its stance toward union organizers or employers.
Staffing Reductions and Agency Challenges
The agency also experienced significant staff reductions due to early retirements and resignation buyouts reportedly encouraged by Elon Musk's unofficial "department of government efficiency." This left approximately 1,100 employees to manage collective bargaining and labor practices in the private sector, compared to 1,545 employees in 2016.
The NLRB workforce shrank during Trump's first term, even as the private sector workforce expanded from 2016 to 2024. The NLRB did not respond to requests for comment regarding these changes.
Union Activity Amid Growing Public Support
The decline in union activity occurred despite increasing public support for unions across age, education, and political affiliations. Public approval of labor unions rose from 56% in 2016 to 68% in 2025, according to polling data.
Aurelia Glass, author of the report and policy analyst for the Center for American Progress’s American Worker Project, commented on the situation:
“There’s still a lot of interest and a lot of momentum behind these campaigns, so I think workers are going to continue to try to find ways to move forward.”
She further noted the challenges faced by the NLRB under the Trump administration:
“Though the NLRB has been ‘relentlessly attacked’ under the [Trump administration], workers still want unions.”
