Union bashing may the popular sport for Republican presidential candidates (click here for more). But a new report looks at some of the real stories about how unions and union members are having positive impacts on jobs, health care, education and their communities.   

Beyond the Weekend by American Rights at Work (ARAW) reveals that when employees come together in the workplace, the benefits of their collective action extend far beyond themselves.

The reports key findings show that:

• Frontline union health care workers are collaborating with hospital administrators to find real solutions that improve patient care and control costs.
• Partnerships between union-represented teachers and school administrators are boosting student achievement in schools that serve disadvantaged families.
• Union members’ pensions funds are financing public and private projects that create good American jobs.
• Building trades unions are partnering with community groups to create new career paths for veterans, workers of color, and women.
• Child care providers are gaining new skills and resources through their unions to improve how they care for children of low-income families.

Beyond the Weekend points out that:

In an era where employees’ basic rights to come together in the workplace are increasingly at risk Americans need to understand what is at stake if these rights and resulting opportunities are lost.

Click here for the full report.