In 2025, the number of union elections held under the auspices of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) experienced a significant decline, falling by 30% compared to the previous year. According to a report from the Center for American Progress, this drop translates to a loss of around 59,000 workers participating in union elections, marking a 42% decrease from 2024. The total number of union elections decreased from a peak of 2,124, achieved in 2024, to just 1,498 in 2025, indicating a troubling trend for organized labor in the United States.

The report also notes a decrease in the success rate of union elections, which fell to 69.8% in 2025 after reaching 72% in 2023. This decline in both participation and success rates reflects broader challenges facing unions and labor organizations in the U.S. The NLRB, which plays a critical role in enforcing labor laws and overseeing union elections, has seen its power significantly diminished following maneuvers by the Trump administration to freeze its operations and impede its ability to function effectively.

As the NLRB's authority wanes, the implications for workers seeking to organize are profound. The diminishing opportunities for union elections and the reduced likelihood of successful unionization efforts can undermine workers' rights and diminish organized labor's influence in the workplace. The report's findings suggest a pivotal moment for labor relations in the U.S., as the state of union support and activism faces considerable challenges moving forward.