The Union Effect in California #2 highlights the gains for women, workers of color, and immigrants from joining a union. Unions raise wages and increase access to workplace benefits, especially for those who have historically been excluded from good jobs. Collective bargaining agreements standardize wage rates, establish objective hiring and promotion procedures, and provide training programs for workers without college degrees. Unions also negotiate for pay transparency and grievance procedures for discrimination cases. These measures can reduce wage differentials and occupational segregation, as well as offset the negative career effects of unequal access to good schools and job-hiring networks. Despite the history of racism, sexism, and nativism in the labor movement, unions continue to work towards addressing these issues.
