Featuring key NLRB Election and Petition trend data from the newly released LRI RightNow Third Quarter 2026 NLRB Elections and Petitions Review, covering RC, RD, and employer-filed RM elections and petitions, broken down by union, NLRB region, state, industry, and unit size.
Petitions Are Running Ahead of NLRB Elections
Representation (RC) elections are down 5% through the first nine months of 2026, to 1,120, and unions won 78% of them. RC petitions filed from July through September ran 12% ahead of last year in the third quarter. Decertification (RD) elections are up 12% for the year.
RC petitions totaled 1,584 through September, down 1% for the year. The third quarter ran the other way: 560 petitions against 499 a year earlier, up 12%, while certified RC elections fell 8%, to 360 from 393. Only 70.7% of petitions have produced a certified election, down from 73.9%. Services filed the most petitions, 327, and 28% were withdrawn, compared with 17% of the 305 filed in Healthcare and Social Assistance.
Workers in targeted units reached 267,578, up 196%. One valid petition for a roughly 190,000-worker unit in New York accounts for most of that increase. Without it, the total would be about 77,600, down about 14%.
Decertification Elections Rise as Petitions Fall
Certified RD elections totaled 112, while RD petitions fell 3%. Unions won 44.6% of RD elections, and workers in units where the union lost rose 45%, to 3,045.
The Teamsters Lead on Volume
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters) appeared in 258 RC elections, more than two and a half times the next most active union, and won 73%, against 78% for all unions. They won 9 of 21 RD elections (43%) and 9 of 12 employer-filed (RM) elections (75%). SEIU and Workers United (SEIU affiliate) were the next most active with a combined 179 RC election wins (83%).
Industry Results Differ Between Organizing and Decertification
Healthcare and Social Assistance produced the most certified RC elections, 230, with an 86% union win rate. Utilities had the highest RC win rate of any sector, 90% (45 of 50), and the lowest RD win rate among sectors with at least five decertification elections, 2 of 9. Construction (54% across 41 elections) and Wholesale Trade (66% across 70) were the weakest sectors for unions among those with at least 40 RC elections.
Employer-Filed Activity Keeps Contracting
RM petitions fell 29%, and certified RM elections fell 30%, to 50. Workers covered by RM petitions fell 55%, to 3,065. Unions won 76% of RM elections.
Where Activity and Union Success Are Concentrated
Region 19, covering the Pacific Northwest, led all NLRB regions with 123 certified RC elections, and unions won 84%. Among regions with at least 31 RC elections, Region 29 (Brooklyn) had the highest union win rate at 91%, and Region 31 (Los Angeles) the lowest at 62%. California had the most RC elections of any state, 174, with a 75% union win rate. Among states with at least 44 RC elections, New York was highest at 86%, and Pennsylvania and Ohio were lowest at 72%.
The LRI RightNow Third Quarter 2026 NLRB Elections and Petitions Review covers RC, RD, and employer-filed RM elections and petitions, broken down by union, NLRB region, state, industry, and unit size.
Purchase the full Q3 2026 report for $150.
