Association for Union Democracy

Labor Notes and the Association for Union Democracy are co-hosting the Running for Union Office online workshop tonight, Monday, January 5, 8 p.m. Eastern.

One of the most important tools in the rank-and-file toolbox for transforming the labor movement is running for local union office. Internal elections are one of the ways that members can present a new way forward for the union, by putting the direction of the union in the hands of the membership—even if it means challenging existing leaders to do so.

But running for union office—and winning, or losing and still building lasting networks in our locals—is not just about getting your name on a ballot. It takes mapping out your local, building support across worksites, listening to members’ issues, and building a team that can successfully lead the union.

Join Labor Notes and the Association for Union Democracy for an *online workshop* tonight (Monday, January 5, at 8 p.m. Eastern!) on Running for Union Office

Sign up now! labornotes.org/events/2026/...

Free Speech Rights in Your Union Sign up for the workshop "Democratic Rights for Union Members: Free Speech" hosted by the Association for Union Democracy on November 5. Did you know there’s a “Bill of Rights for Union Members” that ...

And read about your rights in Labor Notes:
www.labornotes.org/2025/10/free... 2/2

Upcoming Event, AUD is hosting a Free Speech Workshop on November 5th.

Hear from union democracy attorneys about your democratic free speech rights within your union.

Sign Up Today!
uniondemocracy.org/democratic-r... 1/2

Bricklayers Continue Battle Over Constitution, Election Rights and Consolidation

uniondemocracy.org/2025/08/27/b...

Inside Your Union, You Have Due Process Rights Suppose you run for local union office on a reform slate, and nearly win… but then the incumbent leaders trump up charges against you. You’re sure your only crime is challenging them, but they brand y...

Most unions members have a legal right to due process within their unions, and protections against improper discipline, under a 1959 federal law called the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act: labornotes.org/blogs/2025/0...

Iron Workers Local 11 Under Investigation on Multiple Fronts
uniondemocracy.org/2025/05/19/i...

Breaking News!
Yvonne Armstrong Beats Incumbent President of 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers East. uniondemocracy.org/2025/05/05/y...

A Special Election is Happening in the New York Carpenters Union
uniondemocracy.org/2025/04/28/a...

1199 SEIU Healthcare Worker East Sees First Competitive Election in Decades
uniondemocracy.org/2025/04/26/1...

Three new stories available on our website:
- AUD Pens Letter to IUOE Ethics Officer

- Department of Labor Slips on Timing and Leaves Union Members in the Dark

- Union Conventions: When and How Often?

New Edition

$100 Plus Club News Now Available! Check out uniondemocracy.org/2025/04/15/1...

Check out this article on the importance/history of direct voting for international union officers by AUD board member Michael J. Goldberg.

poweratwork.us/how-rank-and...

Our new issue of Union Democracy Review #226 is now out and you can find three of our articles from it linked here.

uniondemocracy.org/appeals-cour...

uniondemocracy.org/at-the-inter...

uniondemocracy.org/fighting-tim...

If you enjoyed these articles make sure to subscribe to UDR.

Over the next several weeks we will be doing a series of posts on the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 and rights of union members!

If you have questions or need assistance with issues in regard to union democracy, please reach out to us through our website uniondemocracy.org or email us at info@uniondemocracy.org

free speech and fair elections, so that union members can shape the direction and actions of their union.

AUD publishes the Union Democracy Review quarterly which covers the principles and practices of internal union democracy. Articles from Union Democracy Review can be found on our website.

As a non-partisan organization, AUD does not support or endorse candidates for union office or specific policies within unions.
Rather, AUD supports actions which strengthen the democratic process, promoting membership participation,...

It is the premise of AUD that internal democracy makes unions stronger and better able to fight for the rights and interests of working people. We provide organizing, educational, and legal assistance to those fighting for greater membership control of their unions.

The Association for Union Democracy (AUD) is excited to officially launch our Bluesky page! AUD advances the principles and practices of internal democracy in the labor movement.