In 2022, there was a surge of enthusiasm for unions, which many called “the most promising moment for unions in decades.” Young workers were mobilizing to form new unions all over the country. Interestingly, union popularity had soared to more than 70%, the highest level in 60 years.
Yet, despite this optimism, union membership continued to slide. By 2024, the representation of unions had dipped below 6% among private-sector workers for the first time in over a century.
While unions remain popular, the hopeful atmosphere of 2022 and 2023 seems like a distant memory now.
In the first half of 2025, the Trump administration carved deep divisions within the labor movement, revealing its weaknesses through anti-union executive orders and corporate antagonism. Through actions aligned with what has been termed “Project 2025,” Trump enacted an executive order that stripped collective bargaining rights from over 800,000 federal workers, marking one of the most significant union-busting moves in U.S. history.
This marked a first in history—and it was a turning point. Agencies like the National Labor Relations Board and others, which once vigorously defended workers, were now under threat, undermining decades of rights and protections surrounding work.
Every week seems to bring new challenges for workers—be they undocumented, transgender, farm, home, or even creative workers. Companies like Amazon and SpaceX continue to push against not just organized labor rights but also challenge the very legitimacy of the National Labor Relations framework established nearly a century ago.
It’s crucial not to assume that all unions are united against Trump’s agenda. Some unions, such as Teamsters and UAW, have, in some ways, embraced aspects of Trump’s economic nationalism, with a portion of their membership voting for him.
Unlike traditional Republicans, populist figures like Vice President J.D. Vance and Senator Josh Hawley seem less interested in dismantling unions. Instead, they aim to cooperate with them, believing that union members often lean more conservative than their leaders. This dynamic could create splits within the American labor movement that shouldn’t be overlooked.
So, how can unions push back against these profound threats? The labor movement has heavily leaned on support from federal or state governments to survive. Trump’s drastic executive measures reveal deeper vulnerabilities—the reliance on governmental support is riskier than it seems.
With private sector union membership falling below 6% for the first time in over a century, the labor movement today lacks the solid foundations it once had. Historically, robust unions were built around trades and could weather hostile governments. The political power now concentrated in the presidency is unprecedented, leaving unions vulnerable to the whims of politics.
I’ve long believed that, much like during the 1930s, a significant shift is needed in the U.S. labor landscape to open pathways for unions to grow. The current political and constitutional turmoil indeed feels monumental. While it’s uncertain how Trump’s constitutional attacks will proceed, it’s clear that actions undermining the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and federal workers’ rights are serious concerns. This is a raw exhibition of power. If Trump’s agenda succeeds, workers’ prospects look bleak.
However, his success isn’t guaranteed. Under his administration, there could be a resurgence within the labor movement, considering the challenges it’s faced for decades. One critical issue has been that labor law reform tends to be perceived as esoteric—accessible only to insiders. That perception, however, may be shifting.
The current state of American politics is quite unstable. There remains a possibility that unions and their allies could emerge from this crisis advocating for transformative labor law reform. But to survive, the labor movement must confront these challenges head-on; sticking to familiar strategies will not suffice.
Ironically, challenges to the constitutionality of the NLRB might open doors for labor. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling in favor of SpaceX’s arguments does not necessarily threaten existing laws, but it indicates the NLRB may be more constrained.
Revisions to national labor relations to fit this court’s decision could also present union advocates with a chance to rethink existing laws. Whether today’s labor structures will meet this challenge is uncertain, but the future of unions may hinge on it.
