United for Respect (UFR) is a national grassroots organization building a movement led by low-wage workers, especially women and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. These workers, earning under $18/hour, make up over 31 million people across the U.S. UFR organizes this multiracial workforce to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions while strengthening democratic participation. By engaging workers often overlooked by traditional outreach – many of whom face barriers to voting – UFR connects workplace organizing with civic action, empowering people to advocate for economic security, healthcare access, and a stronger voice in their workplaces and communities.

UFR’s theory of change centers workplace organizing as a pathway to sustained civic leadership. Workers who organize on the job become trusted messengers, shaping narratives about economic justice and corporate accountability while influencing their communities and elections. In 2026, UFR’s civic strategy combines bold, worker-centered messaging; peer storytelling; digital-first outreach; and volunteer engagement, with a focus on key down-ballot races. UFR will activate its network of over 373,000 workers and supporters, run state-based programs in GA, MI, CA, TX and NC reaching 1.65 million target voters, and share tools and insights with partners to expand impact and turnout.

UFR advanced worker power through organizing, policy advocacy, and leadership development. We expanded OSHA accountability efforts by documenting Amazon warehouse conditions and elevating worker voices. We mobilized thousands of workers to respond to threats to SNAP and Medicaid and built bipartisan coalitions in Michigan to challenge corporate tax loopholes. In Georgia, we drove safety improvements and advanced worker protection legislation, while in California we helped preserve $30M in state worker outreach funding. We grew our network to 373,368, and delivered 27,532 messages to decision-makers. We also launched an AI and workplace tech survey for low-wage workers.

UFR's civic engagement program integrates online/offline organizing to boost voter turnout from a low-wage, majority women and BIPOC voting bloc of 2 million people across urban, rural, and suburban geographies. We move our base through deep relationship building into action, and leverage persuasion messaging to turn out low-propensity voters.