Gen Z Is Reshaping Unions, but Their Priorities Go Beyond Wages

Unions have historically been associated with wage negotiations, ensuring fair pay, and improving working conditions. While these remain core priorities, Gen Z is reshaping how unions operate and the issues they champion. Young workers are bringing new expectations to the table, looking beyond wages to address concerns that reflect the rapidly evolving nature of work. According to the 2025 LaborStrong Perceptions and Priorities of Labor Survey, 54% of workers cite wage inequality, 53% focus on AI and automation, and 47% highlight remote and hybrid work, pushing unions to address a wider range of workplace challenges.

Young Workers Are Looking to Unions for More Than Just Pay

For past generations, higher wages were the main reason to join a union. Gen Z, however, is taking a more holistic view of workplace issues, seeing unions as a means to improve overall job satisfaction and workplace equity. While securing fair wages remains important, young workers are also advocating for policies that create a more supportive and sustainable work environment.

One of the biggest shifts is a demand for greater transparency in how wages are structured. With 54% of workers citing wage inequality as a primary concern, unions are being called upon to push for pay equity across industries and within individual companies. Gen Z workers want clear guidelines on salary structures, ensuring that factors like gender and race do not contribute to pay disparities. Instead of just negotiating for higher wages, they expect unions to advocate for systemic changes that create a fairer workplace for everyone.

Beyond wages, unions are increasingly being seen as a way to ensure ethical workplace practices. Many young employees seek employers who align with their values, prioritizing diversity, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. Gen Z expects unions to take an active role in shaping company policies around these issues, holding businesses accountable for fair hiring practices and equitable treatment of employees.

Gen Z Is Bringing a New Vision to Unions Focused on the Future of Work

As workplaces evolve, Gen Z is focused on ensuring that unions play a role in shaping the future of work. AI and automation are at the forefront of their concerns, with 53% of workers identifying these advancements as key trends that unions need to address in the coming year. While technology has the potential to improve productivity, young workers are wary of its impact on job security, workplace fairness, and career growth opportunities.

The fear of automation replacing jobs is not new, but Gen Z is less interested in resisting change and more focused on ensuring that workers are protected throughout technological transitions. They expect unions to advocate for retraining programs, reskilling opportunities, and policies that ensure technology is used to enhance rather than eliminate jobs. Workers want to see clear guidelines on how AI will be implemented in decision-making processes, particularly when it comes to hiring, promotions, and performance evaluations. Without these protections, many fear that automation could lead to increased job insecurity and workplace bias.

Another key issue shaping Gen Z’s vision for unions is the need for greater flexibility in work arrangements. With 47% of workers identifying remote and hybrid work as a top concern, young employees are pushing for unions to negotiate policies that support alternative work models. They see flexibility as a fundamental right rather than a temporary benefit, and they expect unions to advocate for structures that make remote work sustainable, including clearer guidelines on performance expectations, virtual collaboration, and workplace equity for remote employees.

Beyond Paychecks, Gen Z Sees Unions as Key to Work-Life Balance and AI Regulation

For young workers, unions are not just about wages and job security—they are about creating workplaces that promote well-being and sustainability. Work-life balance has become a defining issue for Gen Z, who prioritize mental health and job satisfaction alongside career advancement. Rather than simply negotiating for more paid time off, they want unions to advocate for policies that protect workers from burnout, excessive workloads, and unrealistic performance expectations.

The shift toward remote and hybrid work has heightened the need for unions to address the blurred boundaries between work and personal life. Gen Z employees are seeking protection against the expectation of being constantly available outside of working hours. They want unions to push for clear policies that establish the right to disconnect, ensuring that employees are not pressured to answer emails, attend meetings, or complete tasks beyond their scheduled workday.

AI regulation is another area where Gen Z sees unions playing a crucial role. As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in hiring, performance evaluations, and workplace management, young workers are concerned about issues of fairness, transparency, and data privacy. They expect unions to advocate for regulations that prevent bias in AI-driven decision-making, ensuring that automation does not reinforce existing workplace inequalities. With AI being used to monitor productivity, workers want stronger protections against excessive surveillance, ensuring that technology is used ethically and does not compromise employee privacy.

A Changing Workforce, A Changing Union Landscape

The role of unions is expanding as Gen Z brings new priorities to labor movements. Wage negotiations remain important, but young workers are pushing for unions to address a broader range of concerns, from AI regulation and job security to work-life balance and remote work policies. 

Gen Z’s expectations reflect a workforce that values fairness, flexibility, and long-term career sustainability. They see unions not just as a means of securing higher pay but as a way to ensure that workplaces evolve in ways that benefit employees at all levels. As unions respond to these changing demands, they are becoming more than just advocates for financial compensation—they are shaping the future of work itself.