Over the past few months, working people have continued to organize, vote for representation, and secure first contracts that deliver real gains. These victories span auto manufacturing, health care, energy, media, and service-sector workplaces. They also reflect a growing trend: organizing is no longer isolated to traditional strongholds. Workers are winning in new regions, at high-profile employers, and in sectors that have historically been difficult to organize.

Below is a snapshot of some of the most significant recent wins.

AUTO MANUFACTURING: UAW SECURES FIRST CONTRACT AT VOLKSWAGEN CHATTANOOGA

In a remarkable development for labor organizing in the Southern automotive industry, workers at the Volkswagen assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., have successfully negotiated their first contract with the company. This milestone follows the workers’ earlier decision to join the United Auto Workers (UAW), overcoming years of resistance against unionization in a traditionally anti-union region.

The achievement marks a historic moment for the UAW’s new local chapter at the Chattanooga facility, as this is their inaugural contract. The contract negotiation is a significant breakthrough in the Southern United States, where organized labor efforts have often faced strong opposition.

This success serves not only as a pivotal victory for the Chattanooga plant but also as a galvanizing force for other nonunion auto plants across the South. It offers a tangible example of what concerted organizing efforts can accomplish—even in challenging environments.

The campaign at Volkswagen was spearheaded by dedicated production and maintenance workers aiming for higher wages, increased job security, and a say in critical workplace issues like scheduling and safety. The successful agreement is expected to ripple across the automotive industry, inspiring similar efforts at other major facilities.

The UAW’s accomplishment at Volkswagen Chattanooga is poised to energize ongoing and future organizing efforts, potentially transforming the landscape of auto manufacturing in regions traditionally known for high resistance to unionization

Energy Sector: USW National Pattern Agreement Across Refineries

The United Steelworkers (USW) secured a national pattern agreement covering roughly 30,000 refinery and petrochemical workers across 26 companies, including facilities operated by Marathon Petroleum, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Phillips 66.

This agreement impacts dozens of USW locals nationwide, including units at major refinery sites in Texas, Louisiana, California, and the Midwest. The contract includes strong wage increases over four years, a signing bonus, and improvements in safety and staffing language.

While not a traditional organizing drive, pattern bargaining at this scale reinforces union strength and raises standards across an entire industry. For workers in nonunion energy facilities, these agreements continue to demonstrate the power of coordinated representation.

Health Care: SEIU Organizing Continues to Expand

Health care remains one of the most active organizing sectors in the country. In recent months, hospital workers in multiple states have voted to join Service Employees International Union (SEIU) affiliates, including large units organized through SEIU-UHW in California and other regional SEIU locals nationwide.

These campaigns have included service and technical workers, nursing support staff, and patient care employees seeking safer staffing levels, fair pay, and protections against burnout.

Each new unit adds to an already strong base of organized health care workers and strengthens the sector’s collective ability to push for system-wide improvements.

Media and Newsrooms: NewsGuild-CWA Continues Growth

Journalists and media workers are continuing to organize under The NewsGuild-CWA, including recent wins at regional newspapers and digital media outlets. One notable example includes newsroom employees at The Columbus Dispatch, where workers voted to join the Guild to gain a voice in job security, pay transparency, and workplace standards.

NewsGuild units are typically organized as local chapters within the Communications Workers of America structure, and the continued expansion across newsrooms reflects growing concern about layoffs, consolidation, and declining job stability in the industry.

Aerospace and Manufacturing: IAM and IBEW Units Secure Gains

Across manufacturing, aerospace, and defense supply chains, workers represented by unions such as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) have secured new agreements and organized new bargaining units at smaller facilities and suppliers.

In several recent IAM contract settlements at manufacturing sites, locals reported significant wage increases, expanded paid leave, and stronger language on subcontracting protections. While some of these campaigns involved smaller units, they are strategically important in strengthening regional union density.

Service Sector: Starbucks Workers United Continues Expansion

The organizing wave at Starbucks continues to grow under Starbucks Workers United, affiliated with Workers United (SEIU). More than 600 stores nationwide have voted to unionize, and new elections continue to be filed regularly.

Each store forms its own bargaining unit, often supported by regional Workers United locals. Though first contracts remain a challenge, the scale of organizing in retail and food service has permanently shifted expectations in a sector long viewed as difficult to organize.

These campaigns are being led by younger workers who are building leadership skills and reshaping the public conversation around unions.

Why These Wins Matter

These victories—whether in massive auto plants or smaller newsrooms—share a common thread. They show that organizing is spreading across industries and regions:

  • The UAW breaking through in Southern auto manufacturing
  • The USW maintaining industry-wide leverage across refineries
  • SEIU expanding health care representation
  • NewsGuild-CWA organizing media workers
  • IAM, IBEW, and other industrial unions strengthening manufacturing units
  • Workers United building power in the service sector

Each campaign builds confidence. Each new local strengthens the broader labor movement. And every contract win raises standards not just for union members, but for workers at competing employers.

What stands out most about the past few months is the diversity of organizing. These wins aren’t limited to one industry or region. They’re happening in the South, on the coasts, in cities, and in smaller communities.

They also reflect a shift in worker expectations. People are organizing not just for higher wages, but for respect, safety, stability, and a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

Momentum builds one workplace at a time. That’s how real growth happens—steady, visible, and driven by workers themselves.