If you don't have a union in your workplace, you don't have guaranteed wages, health benefits or a secure pension. You are an "at-will" employee. You check your rights at the door, and your employer can fire you or change your conditions of employment at any time and for almost any reason. But you - and the people you work with - can change this. It is your legal right!
There are real advantages to having a union for you as an individual and for society in general. By forming a union with your co-workers, together you will have the strength to negotiate a legally binding contract with your employer that includes better wages, affordable health care, a secure retirement and a safer workplace. Consider:

Better wages: Wages of union members are, on average, 27% higher than those of nonunion workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2004, union workers were paid $781 a week, but nonunion workers only got paid $612 a week. While all unions workers are better off than nonunion workers especially women and minorities.

The more union members there are in this country, the better off everyone is. Throughout our history, when unions are strong, wages go up, health care coverage improves and pensions are strengthened. When unions are under attack, as they are today, we are all in danger - our jobs, our communities and our families.

If you do not have a union at your job, find out more about how to form one. Today, more people are taking the step to form unions on the job than at any time in recent history. You can be one of them!

• 5 Steps: Getting started on your union

• Unions 101

• Employee free choice act

• NLRB election procedures

• Contact Union President