As our country continues to fight its way out of the worst recession in decades, we shouldn’t lose sight of those companies who are doing right by investing in their employees and creating good American jobs. As consumers, we shouldn’t forget that we can show our support for these companies in the way we shop.

CUTCO Cutlery Corporation, Monterey Mushrooms, Inc., and USA Coffee Company are just a few of the consumer brands around the country that are working successfully in partnership with their employees and the unions representing them. Though diverse in industry, size, and location, each of these companies have one thing in common: They’re proof that long-term business success goes hand-in-hand with a workplace culture that fosters shared vision, trust, and respect among workers and management.

» Read more about these partnerships that work

In American Rights at Work Education Fund's new report, Partnerships in Education: How Labor-Management Collaboration Is Transforming Public Schools, we highlight strong labor- management partnerships between teachers’ unions and administrations that are transforming schools in communities from coast to coast. For these students, collective bargaining has provided a path for their teachers and administrators to work together to find solutions and create opportunities. And their success points to the urgent need to protect teachers’ right to collectively bargain—not just for the sake of a dwindling middle class, but for students and their communities, too.

» Read more

In our sixth annual Labor Day List: Partnerships that Work, the American Rights at Work Education Fund recognizes employers who practice labor-management cooperation while creating pioneering solutions to the environmental challenges of the 21st century. The eight businesses featured see their workers’ unions as essential partners, and consider environmental stewardship a key component of their business model. At a time when the leadership of bold, visionary employers is in high demand, this year’s Labor Day List companies provide a model for the “win-win-win” economy our country needs—an economy in which businesses thrive, the planet prospers, and workers share in the success they help create.

» View the 2010 Labor Day List

In the American Rights at Work Education Fund's fifth annual Labor Day List, we recognize successful partnerships between employers and their employees’ labor unions that are working well in an uncertain global economy. Employers showcased in this year's report walk the walk when it comes to respecting their own workers’ rights, and now they are going a step further by standing up on behalf of all U.S. workers. Every business profiled in this year's report has spoken out on the need for meaningful labor law reform. By supporting the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation making it easier for workers to choose to form a union, a new generation of visionary employers is laying the foundation for the financial well-being of workers and businesses alike.

» Check out the 2009 list.

When workers have a seat at the table, their voices strengthen local economic development and helps ensure fairness, quality jobs, and long-term sustainable growth.

Labor unions have been responding to the unfair policies of the last several decades by taking action to shape local economic development policies.¹  In partnerships with employers, community organizations, and local governments, unions have helped revitalize local economies by saving and expanding family-supporting jobs. This fact sheet contains are some examples of these win/win partnerships.

Unions have a long history of leadership on designing and promoting innovative and effective job training and apprenticeship programs that benefit workers, businesses, and local communities. Now more than ever this country needs workers to have a voice at the table to ensure that the challenges of a new economy are met with fair and effective policies.

In the American Rights at Work Education Fund’s fourth annual Labor Day List: Partnerships that Work, we continue to shine the spotlight on positive relationships between employers and their employees. In this year’s Labor Day List, we highlight a geographically diverse group of employers who show that good labor relations are possible in every sector of the economy. Wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa Technology Corporation, the Washington National Opera, and Alabama Power, a utility serving millions of residents in the South, are just a few of this year’s featured employers that prove that strong labor-management partnerships are the key to future success.  By working with their employees and the unions that represent them, Labor Day List employers have well-trained, efficient workforces and are invested in a socially-responsible approach to business that will carry them far in the future.  

» Check out the 2008 list.

The 2007 Labor Day List features partnerships between successful employers and their employees’ unions that both meet the needs and rights of workers and fulfill business objectives. The practices of the employers we profile buck the current “race to the bottom” trend and eschew hostile labor-management relations. These innovative employers demonstrate there are alternative models which fulfill the needs of their shareholders, employees, and valued customers.

» Check out the 2007 list.

The 2006 Labor Day List features partnerships between successful employers and their employees’ unions that both meet the needs and rights of workers and fulfill business objectives. The practices of the employers we profile buck the current “race to the bottom” trend and eschew hostile labor-management relations. These innovative employers demonstrate there are alternative models which fulfill the needs of their shareholders, employees, and valued customers.

» Check out the 2006 List.
» Download the report (PDF)

The ianugural 2005 Labor Day List features partnerships between successful employers and their employees’ unions that both meet the needs and rights of workers and fulfill business objectives. The practices of the employers we profile buck the current “race to the bottom” trend and eschew hostile labor-management relations. These innovative employers demonstrate there are alternative models which fulfill the needs of their shareholders, employees, and valued customers.

» Check out the 2005 list.
» Download the report (PDF)

“They do an excellent job of training, testing, and certifying their members.  We have high standards and so do they, so we fully support the unions.”  

"Labor Day is the perfect time to celebrate the best examples of what American unions and companies can do when they work together.  The partnerships highlighted here show we can meet our nation’s economic challenges and provide good jobs if we listen to each other, respect workers’ rights, and allow the knowledge, skills, and creativity of our workforce to realize their full potential."  

“If we didn’t work together, the organization would not exist.  The employees and the unions that represent them are the backbone of the organization.” 

"It is vitally important to celebrate and publicize positive partnerships between companies and their employees.  These partnerships signify meaningful work, work-family balance, mutual respect, decent wages, and benefits.  Thus, 'Partnerships that Work' is a timely tribute to companies, big and small, that strive to make their workplaces positive models. In the future, the responsible workplace needs to be a hallmark of U.S. business both at home and abroad." 

“We share the same goals and objectives: patient care, service quality, retention of employees, a living wage, and compliance practices.  We are creating an environment where people want to work for us.”

"The companies listed on “The Labor Day List” demonstrate this understanding, and the case studies of labor-management partnerships should be read by all corporate executives.  Kudos to American Rights at Work for putting forth this report."

“We don’t have an adversarial relationship with our union at all.  We look at it as [a contributing factor to] productivity [and] a better product.”  

“We are setting standards that all hospital systems should be working toward.” 

“The end product would not have been as valuable without the employees’ involvement.”  

“Old adversarial models of labor-management relations are outdated.  By involving employees in all stages of decision-making, Allina can improve quality of care and make the company a better place to work.” 

"Now, we work like a team...we want the company to grow, and a lot of us have good ideas to make that happen."

“In spite of much conventional wisdom about the competitive requirements for pursuing a ‘race to the bottom’ approach, the evidence shows that corporate leaders that genuinely put employees first and work constructively with labor representatives do well even as they do good.” 

“Imagine if this was the experience for all workers in America. It could and it should be this straightforward for men and women to have a free and fair choice to form a union and work in partnership with their employer to make it a success.” 

“Boh Bros. has enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial working relationship with construction unions in South Louisiana,” says President Robert S. Boh.  “We look forward to continuing this partnership as we rebuild the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina.”

"American Rights at Work's “Labor Day List: Partnerships that Work” shows once again that companies that treat their workers as assets to be developed do better over the long term than companies that treat their workers as costs to be cut.  Consumers, investors, and CEOs should take note."

"When the CEO of Cingular responded to a question about unions…I could barely contain my composure.  I heard him say that Cingular has a great relationship with CWA and that each call center would be able to choose whether or not it wanted union representation.  I wanted to shout my joy for all the management to hear.  We had hope!"