Read NATCA Scholarship Winner Kate Wilson’s Essay

Every year, NATCA offers a scholarship program for spouses, children, stepchildren, and legally adopted children of active, retired, and deceased members in good standing for at least two consecutive years. This scholarship is for full-time attendance at accredited colleges and universities within the United States and its territories for an undergraduate degree program.

This year’s prompt asked candidates to examine why labor unions are experiencing a resurgence and what implications this has for the future.

Kate Wilson, child of Chad Wilson (St. Louis TRACON, T75) is among 2023’s scholarship winners. Read the essay that Kate submitted below.

In the past few years, labor unions in the United States have encountered a renewal in approval and support. According to recent polls, the approval ratings of labor unions are at the highest point in over 45 years. This trend can be attributed to a number of things, including growing income imbalance, changing attitudes towards worker rights, and increasing organizing efforts across different industries.

One of the main causes for the renewal of labor unions is the growing income imbalance and its effect on the American public. Over the last 10 years, the opening between the wealthy and the poor has continued to get bigger, leaving a lot of workers struggling to make a living. In response, a lot of workers are turning to labor unions as a way to promote better payment, benefits, and working surroundings.

Another component contributing to the renewal of labor unions is the changing attitudes towards worker rights. A lot of younger workers are more likely to view unions as a way to fight for their rights and improve their working surroundings. This change in attitude is in part due to the rise of social media and other online appearances that make it easier for workers to attach with each other.

Additionally, recent arranging of efforts at large companies such as Starbucks, Amazon, and Walmart have helped to raise recognition of the importance of labor unions. These companies have been attacked for their treatment of workers, and labor unions have stepped in to stand up for better working arrangements and higher pay. These attempts have been successful in some cases, with companies agreeing to change in response to worker demands. 

Lastly, labor unions are also making incursions in less established areas. This is an important development, as it suggests that the influence of labor unions is expanding beyond traditional industries like manufacturers and construction. The renewal of labor unions in the United States is a positive development for workers and for the country as a whole. Unions play an important role in searching for better working conditions, higher pay, and more profitable distribution of resources. By supporting unions, workers can help to make sure that their voices are heard and that their rights are protected. However, there are also challenges ahead for labor unions. For one, there is still big opposition to unions from some employers and political groups. In addition, there are concerns about the impact of automation on union jobs, as well as the ongoing debate over the role of unions in public sector employment.

Overall, the renewal of labor unions in the United States is a positive expansion that reflects a growing recognition of the importance of worker rights. While there are challenges, unions are likely to play an important role in forming the future of work and ensuring that workers are treated normally and fairly with dignity.