The Different Roles and Responsibilities of Professional Associations and Unions

Role

Empowering and supporting a particular profession, discipline, or trade, the interests of individuals engaged in that domain, and the public interest.

Promoting and protecting employees who have joined together at particular worksites and/or employers to bargain for better wages and benefits, as well as improved working and safety conditions. Once a union is certified, it has the sole authority to negotiate the terms and conditions of employment for the people it represents.

Principal Activities May Include:

• Academic Program Development
• Accreditation
• Advocacy
• Certification
• Code of Conduct and Ethics Compliance
• Continuing Education and Professional Development
• Maintaining a Political Action Committee
• Networking
• Publications and Resources
• Public Awareness and Engagement
• Research
• Scope of Practice
• Standards of Professional Practice

• Organizing
• Collective Bargaining over wages, rates, benefits, and working conditions
• Work Stoppages and Strikes (where allowed)
• Advocacy
• Maintaining a Political Action Committee

Scope

State, National, International

Local, State, National, International (affiliated or independent)

Participation

Voluntary with specific qualifications and conditions

• Voluntary in “right to work” states
• Required as a condition of employment (if stipulated in a collective bargaining agreement)

IRS Tax Status

Predominately Non-profit 501(c)(6)

Non-profit 501(c)(5)