Union Now Is America's New Strike Fund

Source: American Prospect

The new nonprofit will put money directly into the hands of workers so they can fight harder and win bigger.

by Whitney Curry Wimbish April 20, 2026

NEW YORK – The American labor movement will soon have something it’s never had before: a centralized strike fund.

Union Now, the new nonprofit and brainchild of Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International President Sara Nelson, began officially fundraising at a kickoff rally on Sunday, April 12th, in Manhattan. National leaders of the Democratic left were there in support; both Bernie Sanders and Zohran Mamdani made rousing speeches, which suggests that the supporters Union Now hopes to enlist will go beyond those who are already union activists.

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The Union Now fund will be a centralized, national clearinghouse to get money directly into the hands of workers, Nelson told the Prospect. Too often, workers want to organize but can’t because of money. Some are working two jobs so don’t have the time; some get fired illegally for attempting to organize. Funds from Union Now will supplement the incomes of those still employed so they can spend time organizing rather than on that second job, Nelson said, and financially support those who have been illegally fired while they contest the dismissal or get a new job. Grant applications will be available following the inaugural fundraising; Union Now is deciding how it will approve grants and is considering using a workers’ council to do so.

The nonprofit is keeping its overhead as low as possible, Nelson said, and will assess the level of funds raised over the next four to six weeks. The plan is to then send the money to workers fighting to organize and win contracts.


Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) waves to attendees at the Union Now rally held at Terminal 5 in New York City, April 12, 2026. Credit: Neil Constantine/NurPhoto via AP

Read more: https://prospect.org/2026/04/20/union-now-americas-new-strike-fund/