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 Services filed the most petitions, 327, and 28% were withdrawn, compared with 17% of the 305 filed in Healthcare and Social Assistance.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%. In the third quarter alone, RD petitions fell 21% and certified RD elections rose 54%. 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%.
Get the Full Petitions and Elections Report
The LRI RightNow Q3 2026 NLRB Elections and Petitions Review breaks results down by union, region, state, industry and unit size.
The LRI RightNow Third Quarter 2026 NLRB Elections and Petitions Review covers RC, RD, and employer-filed elections and petitions, broken down by union, NLRB region, state, industry, and unit size. Purchase the full Q3 2026 report for $150.
