Unions winning nearly 80% of elections, but fewer elections are held

The numbers told the story for unions in 2025—if representation elections were pie, unions claimed a much larger slice of a smaller pie. Here’s what employers need to know.

Looking at the numbers

Since January 1, 2025, unions won 79.3% of 1,162 representation elections conducted—a decline from 1,336 representation elections during the same time period in 2024. The 79% is close to a record high for unions.

Unions also fared more favorably in elections in which employees filed a petition to decertify (vote out) the union—unions won 41% of those elections. When the company filed a petition to vote out the union, unions won 78%, a remarkable win rate considering that the reason employers file such a petition is because of objective evidence of employee dissatisfaction with the union.

Among the most prolific filers, the Teamsters saw 195 election petitions to a vote, winning 71% of the contests. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) was an option in 152 elections and won 83% of them. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers won 89% of the 75 representation elections they contested.

The hard reality for employers is this: Should your organization receive an election petition, it has a 20% chance of success.

Bottom line