US Union Elections Experience Sharp Decline in 2025 Following Trump Administration's Actions
The landscape of American labor organizing faced a significant setback in 2025, as union elections overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) plummeted dramatically. According to a comprehensive analysis released on Wednesday, the number of these critical elections dropped by a staggering 30% compared to the previous year. This decline occurred directly after the Trump administration implemented measures that left the federal labor watchdog effectively powerless, crippling its ability to function normally.
Steep Drop in Participation and Success Rates
The report, compiled by the Center for American Progress, reveals a troubling picture for worker representation. The total number of union elections fell from a decade-high of 2,124 in 2024 to just 1,498 in 2025. Even more concerning was the sharp decline in worker participation, with 59,000 fewer employees taking part in union elections—a substantial 42% decrease from the year prior.
Success rates in these elections also suffered, dropping to 69.8% in 2025 after having risen to 72% in 2023. This reversal marks a significant obstacle for labor organizers who rely on the NLRB's oversight to facilitate fair elections when employers refuse voluntary recognition of newly formed unions.
Trump's Unprecedented Moves to Freeze the NLRB
Since the beginning of his second term, President Trump has taken unprecedented steps to immobilize the labor board. Days after taking office, he fired NLRB board member Gwynne Wilcox, leaving the board without the quorum necessary to make decisions. When Trump eventually restored a quorum, he appointed two Republicans to fill the vacant seats, creating a conservative majority that fundamentally altered the board's political composition.
Though the NLRB was originally established to protect workers' rights and adjudicate disputes, the political makeup of the board directly influences how favorably it treats either organizers or their employers. This shift in balance has had tangible consequences for labor organizing efforts across the country.
Staffing Cuts Exacerbate the Crisis
The agency's capacity to function was further undermined by significant staffing reductions. Approximately 100 employees left due to early retirements and resignation buyouts promoted by Elon Musk's unofficial "department of government efficiency." This departure left roughly 1,100 workers to oversee collective bargaining and labor practices throughout the entire private sector—a stark contrast to the 1,545 employees who worked at the agency in 2016.
Remarkably, this workforce decline occurred during a period when the private sector workforce actually expanded from 120 million in 2016 to more than 135 million in 2024. The NLRB did not respond to requests for comment regarding these staffing challenges and their impact on operations.
Strong Public Support Contrasts with Declining Union Activity
This decline in union activity presents a puzzling contradiction, as public support for labor unions has actually strengthened across demographic lines. According to Gallup polling, public approval for labor unions climbed from 56% in 2016 to 68% in 2025, demonstrating growing popular sentiment in favor of worker organizing despite the administrative obstacles.
Aurelia Glass, author of the report and a policy analyst for the Center for American Progress's American Worker Project, emphasized this disconnect. "Though the NLRB has been relentlessly attacked under the Trump administration, workers still want unions," she stated. "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."
The NLRB's Critical Role in Labor Relations
The National Labor Relations Board plays an indispensable role in American labor relations, presiding over the enforcement of labor law in the private sector. Its responsibilities include conducting union elections and enforcing the National Labor Relations Act. Workers typically file to hold an election with the NLRB once they have agreed to form a union but encounter resistance from employers who refuse voluntary recognition.
This recent downturn in union election activity represents a significant challenge for labor organizers who depend on the board's oversight to ensure fair processes. The combination of political interference, staffing reductions, and procedural obstacles has created a perfect storm that has substantially hampered worker organizing efforts across the United States.
