In a recent report [1], the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced a significant rise in union election petitions in fiscal year 2024 compared to the year before. From October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, the NLRB received 3,286 union election petitions, up 27 percent compared to the 2,593 in the previous fiscal year. The increase is more than double when compared to the 1,638 petitions submitted in 2021.

NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo said, “The surge in cases we’ve received in the last few years is a testament to workers knowing and exercising their rights under the National Labor Relations Act and to our board agents’ accessibility and respectful engagement with them.” She then went on to urge Congress to fully fund the NLRB so that meaningful case resolutions can be reached.

There has also been an increase in unfair labor practice and representation cases filed, brought on by the surge of election petitions. In fiscal year 2024, there were 393 cases, an increase of 22 percent.