WSJ: Nonprofit “Worker Centers” Buttress Union Formation

Accordingto a recent piece in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), a newtype of nonprofit entity is being used to mobilize workers to form unions andsupport employees.  The story explainsthat unions often support the formation of these “worker centers,” which buildcommunity support for organizing laborers by offering language classes, helpingworkers with wage claims, and even lobbying lawmakers on their behalf.  Operated properly, they reportedly fall shortof qualifying as “labororganizations” because they have no continuing bargaining relationshipwith employers, thereby freeing them from constraints imposed by national laborlaws.  According to the story, more than200 worker centers now exist in the United States, and they have been effectivein assisting immigrants, domestic workers, day laborers and taxi drivers.

JRB