U.S. employers spend more than $1.5 billion annually on union avoidance

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Introduction

In 2025, unionization in the United States grew to its highest levels since 2009 (McNicholas, Poydock, and Shierholz 2026). This growth is a testament to the fact that Americans increasingly view unions favorably and recognize them as critical instruments for building a just economy. Yet more than 50 million nonunion workers would join a union but are unable to do so because our nation’s labor laws allow employers to derail workers’ unionization efforts (McNicholas et al. 2019).

It is well documented that employers often hire union avoidance consultants to dissuade and weaken workers’ unionization efforts. These consultants work to prevent a union election from taking place—and if that fails, to ensure that workers vote against the union and then stall negotiations over a first collective bargaining agreement. Over the past several decades, large law firms have developed substantial business specializing in union avoidance services. These firms now play a significant role in denying workers their rights to a union and collective bargaining (Kaufman and Stephan 1995).

The role of these law firms in defeating workers’ organizing campaigns and frustrating workers’ attempts to reach a first contract has largely gone unexamined. While employers are required to disclose money spent on lawyers engaged in persuading employees on their union and collective bargaining rights, there is an exemption around reporting money spent on “advice” services, which is ill-defined under the law. Union avoidance law firms have taken full advantage of this reporting loophole and have constructed an industry providing counsel on union busting. Further, many union avoidance law firms provide employers services beyond these persuader activities, including representation at the NLRB and the stalling of first contract negotiations.

In this report, we examine the union avoidance industry and the law firms that play integral roles in this business. We calculate the revenue law firms generate from employers who try to avoid unions and undermine collective bargaining with their workers. Further, we discuss the impacts of the union avoidance industry on workers’ ability to organize and what it means for workers, our economy, and our democracy.

https://www.epi.org/publication/u-s-employers-spend-more-than-1-5-billion-annually-on-union-avoidance/

[WmChris]

1. They could save a lot

If they treated thier employees like assets rather than liabilities. Nobody being treated right decides to organize. Once organized though and workplaces become safe and there are verified rules of engagement via a contract. Happy employees are more productive and with defined medical benefits healthier, more reliable, and less apt to miss work due to illnesses.

[MichMan]

2. "Nobody being treated right decides to organize."

The congressional staff of US Representatives Omar, Ocasio-Cortez, Garcia, Lieu and several others are all represented by the Congressional Workers Union.

What makes you believe they all mistreated their staff?

[WmChris]

3. Some senseable employers

Actually encourage employees to unionize a contract makes the workplace a much more stable place. Unfortunately that's not the norm.