“In unity there is strength.” Or sometimes we say— “United we stand, divided we fall.” We have a lot of different ways of expressing this idea that unity and strength go together. Even our own slogan—“An injury to one is an injury to all”—is based on this principle. “The union makes us strong.” This is a concept that working people have no problem understanding. They understand that a single worker is powerless to bargain with his or her employer for good wages and working conditions.

Workers know that their bosses have organization. Bosses organize themselves into partnerships, companies, and corporations in order to strengthen their economic power. These business organizations have their own labor relations experts or human resource and personnel directors. They have the backing of attorneys, financial advisors, and other specialized consultants.

Now days, with all the mergers and buyouts, many of our employers also have the backing and resources of large corporate enterprises—with nationwide or even worldwide reach like Starwood, Hilton, Seibu, PepsiCola, and the like. On top of this, employers join with other employers in the same industry like the Hawaii Hotel Association, Auto Dealers, Retail Merchants, or the National Association of Manufacturers. Employers also join more politically oriented groups like the Chamber of Commerce or the National Small Business Association. Bosses understand the power of organization.

Power of unions

A single worker would be helpless and powerless against such a lineup of forces. A single worker is in no position to demand an increase in wages or protest unfair treatment. This is why workers join and organize unions. This is the only way workers can begin to match the power and resources of their employers. By organizing unions, workers can have their own team of experts. They can have their own labor relation specialists—we call them business agents—negotiators, and contract administrators. By organizing into unions, workers can obtain the services of their own attorneys, pension and health plan consultants, and other experts.

Unorganized votes are wasted votes

In short, by organizing into unions, workers have the collective power to bargain on more equal terms with their employers—and this pays off in better wages, conditions, and job security.

“The union makes us strong.” This is a fairly easy idea for our members to understand when it comes to economic power and bargaining for better wages and working conditions. It still takes some convincing and mobilizing work on our part, but our members do come together when it’s time to negotiate a new contract.

“The union makes us strong” — This is even more true and more important when it comes to political power. Yet, somehow, our members have a harder time understanding the need for organization and unity in politics. This is where we need to do a little more work educating our members that political strength only comes from organized political power.

Powerless as individuals

Just as a single worker is powerless against his or her employer, a single voter is powerless to influence the political process. It is only sustained and organized pressure that counts in politics. This organized pressure is obviously used at election time when you cast your votes. But this organized pressure must continue when the legislature is in session to make sure the right laws are being made. And, this organized pressure must be used in the next and future elections to reward our friends and punish our enemies.

Sustained and organized pressure counts in politics

Why is it so important for workers to organize their political power?

Let’s start with the vote. When workers don’t vote in an organized fashion, their votes tend to cancel each other out. Or to put it more bluntly, unorganized votes are wasted. For example, suppose a group of workers choose not to organize their votes, so some vote for Candidate One while others vote for Candidate Two. Their votes have canceled each other out, and both candidates will feel no obligation to listen to these workers. On the other hand, if the workers studied the issues and decided to put all their votes behind Candidate Two, then all their votes will count, and if elected, Candidate Two will be more inclined to help these workers.

Individual workers don’t have the time and resources to keep track of all the issues and what the candidates have done on these issues. This is why we have a union Political.