How Representative Are Pennsylvania’s Public Sector Unions?

Whether one supports or opposes government unionization, it’s hard to argue with a novel reform embedded within Florida’s newly enacted government union law. The reform, which goes into effect on July 1, 2026, requires that unions secure at least 50 percent turnout from employees in a representation election—as well as at least 50 percent approval from those who show up to vote—before the union can become or remain the voice for a government union workplace. In other words, Florida is demanding that unions demonstrate broad worker support before allowing union leaders to pretend to represent their interests.

In one sense, this is a small ask of union officials, who are already legally bound to fairly represent all employees once the union is certified as representative of a given workplace—whether those employees voted for the union or sign up to become union members. In most states with unionized government workplaces, state agencies, counties, and cities can withdraw recognition from a union and refuse to bargain if they doubt that the union truly represents a majority of their employees.

Yet, according to election data obtained by the Commonwealth Foundation, many of Pennsylvania’s government unions won the right to represent workplaces (or “bargaining units”) without majority support from employees. In fact, public records from 302 government union representation elections, conducted from 2011 to 2025, reveal that one in every seven unions won without majority support.

The problem is especially common in larger governmental workplaces. In elections involving more than 250 eligible voters, the unions secured victories with less than a majority of the unit in eight out of 10 elections. The problem persists in representation elections involving 50–250 eligible voters, in which unions failed to secure majority support in 10 of 35 elections.

The table below lists the vote counts for each election.

These results mean that many Pennsylvania public employees—and the vast majority of those in the largest bargaining units—did not actually vote to have union officials represent them in their government workplaces. That’s a problem.

Lawmakers could prospectively address this problem by requiring secret ballot elections and support from a majority of the bargaining unit for future elections. However, this would not address unions already formed over the last 55 years. It would also ignore the fact that, while a government union in Pennsylvania retains its exclusive representative status indefinitely, the workers the union is supposed to represent change over time, whether by addition, attrition, or replacement.

Elections shouldn’t be a one-time occurrence. To ensure they continue to fairly represent their workers, government unions should be required to stand for regular recertification elections overseen by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. And like Florida, Pennsylvania should require unions to secure a majority of the bargaining unit to retain their exclusive representative status. It’s only fair to civil servants working for taxpayers in state and local governments.

If lawmakers are serious about protecting workers’ voices, they should ensure that unions hear and count those voices appropriately. Anything less deprives workers of the democratic values and norms that we value as a nation.

Recertification is what public union democracy looks like.

Notes About the Table

For some added context, some of the above-listed elections included other unions on the ballot. The listed vote counts excluded the following:

• During the PSEA election on June 9, 2011, a Teamsters affiliate was also on the ballot and secured 26 votes.
• During the UGSOA election on September 27, 2011, the International Union of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America was also on the ballot and secured nine votes. During the PSEA election on March 12, 2013, Teamsters Local 773 was also on the ballot and secured 105 votes.
• During the FOP election on September 14, 2013, AFSCME Council 13 was also on the ballot and secured 35 votes.
• During the Teamsters election on October 22, 2013, PSEA was also on the ballot and secured 42 votes.
• During the UMWA election on May 27, 2016, Independent Correctional Officers of Pennsylvania was also on the ballot and secured two votes.
• During the NCEU election on February 2, 2018, a Teamsters affiliate was also on the ballot and secured seven votes.
• During the SEIU election on April 26, 2018, NCEU was also on the ballot and secured 23 votes.
• During the PASSHE Officers Association election on September 5, 2018, the International Union of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America was also on the ballot and secured 42 votes.
• During the NCEU election on February 24, 2021, SEIU was also on the ballot and secured 20 votes.
• During the Temple University Police Association on February 24, 2022, the International Union of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America was also on the ballot and secured 29 votes.
• During the NCEU election on February 23, 2023, SEIU was also on the ballot and secured five votes.
• During the FOP election on May 17, 2023, AFSCME Council 13 was also on the ballot and secured 253 votes.
• During the Teamsters election on January 9, 2025, the Independent Maintenance and Custodial Association was also on the ballot and secured two votes.
• During the PASSHE Officers Association election on October 22, 2025, the International Union of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America was also on the ballot and secured 15 votes.