How is a worker center different from a labor union?
Worker centers are regionally focused rather than employer or industry specific. The Washtenaw County Worker Center focuses on low-wage workers in Washtenaw County, whereas United Steelworkers is a national union for steelworkers. Some worker centers do, however, focus on workers within a certain industry, such as restaurant workers. Also, labor unions and employers are subject to the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act), as amended by the Labor Management Relations Act (Taft-Hartley). Worker centers are not constrained by such laws.
