--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Where free unions and collective…" description: "\"Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.\" — Ronald Reagan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee3/ronald-reagan-119_bargaining_where-free-unions-and-collective-bargain_2520680.jpg" --- # Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden… ![“Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.” quote by Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee3/ronald-reagan-119_bargaining_where-free-unions-and-collective-bargain_2520680.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee3/ronald-reagan-119_bargaining_where-free-unions-and-collective-bargain_2520680.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee3/ronald-reagan-119_bargaining_where-free-unions-and-collective-bargain_2520680.jpg) > “Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.” [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When workers cannot organize, true liberty disappears. **In simple terms:** Freedom needs workers’ rights. Key Takeaway Protect collective bargaining. Themes freedom workers rights Mood concerned determined Type political activist When to use this quote - union negotiations - political advocacy - workplace policy Key Concepts labor rights democracy collective bargaining Questions to Reflect On - How does union strength affect society? - What protects workers’ freedom? A Different Perspective Economic pressures may limit union power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bargaining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bargaining/) [Bargaining Forbidden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bargaining-forbidden-1247300/) [Collective bargaining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collective-bargaining/) [Collectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectives/) [Forbidden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forbidden/) [Forbidden Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forbidden-freedom-1247301/) [Free Unions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-unions-1247299/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-lost-328070/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Unions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unions/) ## Related quotes > [These are the values inspiring those brave workers in Poland. The values that have inspired other dissidents under communist domination. They remind us that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/these-are-the-values-inspiring-those-brave-workers-in-poland-the/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“The first time any man's freedom is trodden. With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeri-taylor/the-first-time-any-man-s-freedom-is-trodden-with-the-first-link-the/) [Jeri Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeri-taylor/) > [men cannot be free in a nation where women are forbidden freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/men-cannot-be-free-in-a-nation-where-women-are-forbidden-freedom/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [The market's been soft, .. and I think that's mostly a result of the new provisions in the collective bargaining agreement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-zimbalist/the-market-s-been-soft-and-i-think-that-s-mostly-a-result-of-the-new/) [Andrew Zimbalist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-zimbalist/) > [The only thing workers have to bargain with is their skill or their labor. Denied the right to withhold it as a last resort,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-clark/the-only-thing-workers-have-to-bargain-with-is-their-skill-or-their/) [Paul Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-clark/) > [Choosing to work where there is a union and getting the related benefits of higher wages and collective bargaining, but not paying a fair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-dill/choosing-to-work-where-there-is-a-union-and-getting-the-related/) [Cynthia Dill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-dill/) > [So let me be clear, Collective bargaining isn't a right, it is an expensive entitlement. Once and for all, we are giving the taxpayers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-walker/so-let-me-be-clear-collective-bargaining-isn-t-a-right-it-is-an/) [Scott Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-walker/) > [The organized labor movement as it is constituted today is as much a concomitant of a capitalist economy as is capital. Organized labor is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-organized-labor-movement-as-it-is-constituted-today-is-as-much-a/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [We need to support new organizing strategies for employees who too often have never had the benefit of collective bargaining, and we have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/we-need-to-support-new-organizing-strategies-for-employees-who-too/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, such as 'right-to-work.' It provides no 'rights' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/in-our-glorious-fight-for-civil-rights-we-must-guard-against-being/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The systematic dismantling of reproductive rights, much like the takedown of collective bargaining, has been taking place in full view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-trudeau/the-systematic-dismantling-of-reproductive-rights-much-like-the/) [Garry Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-trudeau/) > [I was never presented with the details as far as the collective bargaining system is Greece. I am in favor of a normal system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-was-never-presented-with-the-details-as-far-as-the-collective/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [Unions are for 'collective bargaining,' not individual bargaining. It follows that most of the achievements of a union, even if they were more impressive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mancur-olson/unions-are-for-collective-bargaining-not-individual-bargaining-it/) [Mancur Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mancur-olson/) > [We need a system where all of our teams have the opportunity to compete and to make a few dollars. That's not a bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-stern/we-need-a-system-where-all-of-our-teams-have-the-opportunity-to/) [David Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-stern/) > [As governor I would have made sure that I bargained fairly but firmly, been able to get the changes that were needed to balance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-burke/as-governor-i-would-have-made-sure-that-i-bargained-fairly-but-firmly/) [Mary Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-burke/) ## More by Ronald Reagan > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [You know, by the time you reach my age, you've made plenty of mistakes if you've lived your life properly. So you learn. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/you-know-by-the-time-you-reach-my-age-you-ve-made-plenty-of-mistakes/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/yes-across-europe-this-wall-will-fall-for-it-cannot-withstand-faith/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Simple fairness dictates that government must not raise taxes on families struggling to pay their bills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/simple-fairness-dictates-that-government-must-not-raise-taxes-on/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America - our country is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-time-has-come-to-turn-to-god-and-reassert-our-trust-in-him-for/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Professional politicians like to talk about the value of experience in government. Nuts! The only experience you gain in politics is how to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/professional-politicians-like-to-talk-about-the-value-of-experience/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The WPA was one of the most productive elements of FDR's alphabet soup of agencies because it put people to work building roads, bridges,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-wpa-was-one-of-the-most-productive-elements-of-fdr-s-alphabet/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Where there's liberty, art succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/where-there-s-liberty-art-succeeds/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Since I came to the White House, I got two hearing aids, a colon operation, skin cancer, a prostate operation, and I was shot.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/since-i-came-to-the-white-house-i-got-two-hearing-aids-a-colon/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [A moment I've been dreading. George brought his ne're-do-well son around this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/a-moment-i-ve-been-dreading-george-brought-his-ne-re-do-well-son/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [On Father's Day, we pay tribute to all in our society who have taken on the responsibilitie s and joys of fatherhood. Whether our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/on-father-s-day-we-pay-tribute-to-all-in-our-society-who-have-taken/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/there-is-no-limit-to-the-amount-of-good-you-can-do-if-you-don-t-care/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [It's not that liberals aren't smart, it's just that so much of what they know isn't so](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/it-s-not-that-liberals-aren-t-smart-it-s-just-that-so-much-of-what/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Love your country, not for her power or wealth, but for her selflessness and her idealism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/love-your-country-not-for-her-power-or-wealth-but-for-her/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) [Explore all 1,244 Ronald Reagan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) ## More Bargaining quotes > [It is not a process of bargaining or give-and-take. The peace process is not about giving concessions. We will not allow any step which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/recep-tayyip-erdogan/it-is-not-a-process-of-bargaining-or-give-and-take-the-peace-process/) [Recep Tayyip Erdogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/recep-tayyip-erdogan/) > [When by habit a man cometh to have a bargaining soul, its wings are cut, so that it can never soar. It bindeth reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/when-by-habit-a-man-cometh-to-have-a-bargaining-soul-its-wings-are/) [Sir George Savile, 8th Baronet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/) > [Many people do not realize that where unions have bargaining rights employers cannot raise wages or improve benefit plans any more than they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-e-wilson/many-people-do-not-realize-that-where-unions-have-bargaining-rights/) [Charles E. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-e-wilson/) > [I think it is disgraceful. I think it is completely disgusting that you've got a candidate for prime minster who seems to think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/i-think-it-is-disgraceful-i-think-it-is-completely-disgusting-that/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [If you have free universal health care and free education supported by public school taxes, then you have more bargaining power with your bosses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lind/if-you-have-free-universal-health-care-and-free-education-supported/) [Michael Lind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lind/) > [As developing countries became bigger traders, it was clear that the old way of doing business wouldn't fly. To get them back to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-altman/as-developing-countries-became-bigger-traders-it-was-clear-that-the/) [Daniel Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-altman/) > [As governor I would have made sure that I bargained fairly but firmly, been able to get the changes that were needed to balance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-burke/as-governor-i-would-have-made-sure-that-i-bargained-fairly-but-firmly/) [Mary Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-burke/) > [“Employment bargains your life and time for a piece of currency”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/employment-bargains-your-life-and-time-for-a-piece-of-currency/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [We need a system where all of our teams have the opportunity to compete and to make a few dollars. That's not a bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-stern/we-need-a-system-where-all-of-our-teams-have-the-opportunity-to/) [David Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-stern/) > [If you do not get what you want, it is a sure sign that you did not seriously want it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/if-you-do-not-get-what-you-want-it-is-a-sure-sign-that-you-did-not/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [Unions are for 'collective bargaining,' not individual bargaining. It follows that most of the achievements of a union, even if they were more impressive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mancur-olson/unions-are-for-collective-bargaining-not-individual-bargaining-it/) [Mancur Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mancur-olson/) > [Bargaining makes you come up with the best ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-parker/bargaining-makes-you-come-up-with-the-best-ideas/) [Trey Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-parker/) > [That which man dreams of and to Which he aspires, unless fulfilled in his own lifetime, can produce no actual satisfaction to him. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-selassie/that-which-man-dreams-of-and-to-which-he-aspires-unless-fulfilled-in/) [Haile Selassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-selassie/) > [ We didn't see \[the NBA lockout\] as a victory at all. It was far from what we set it out to accomplish in bargaining,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-silver/we-didn-t-see-the-nba-lockout-as-a-victory-at-all-it-was-far-from/) [Adam Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-silver/) > [A man of faith does not bargain or stipulate with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/a-man-of-faith-does-not-bargain-or-stipulate-with-god/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) [Browse all 154 Bargaining quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bargaining/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ronald Reagan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/where-free-unions-and-collective-bargaining-are-forbidden-freedom-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bargaining" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/where-free-unions-and-collective-bargaining-are-forbidden-freedom-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee3/ronald-reagan-119_bargaining_where-free-unions-and-collective-bargain_2520680.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee3/ronald-reagan-119_bargaining_where-free-unions-and-collective-bargain_2520680.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee3/ronald-reagan-119_bargaining_where-free-unions-and-collective-bargain_2520680.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.” — Ronald Reagan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ronald Reagan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Where free unions and collective bargaining...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/where-free-unions-and-collective-bargaining-are-forbidden-freedom-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/where-free-unions-and-collective-bargaining-are-forbidden-freedom-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```