As president of the union UAW Local 5810, which represents more than 6,000 postdocs at the University of California, I recognize efforts by the US National Postdoctoral Association to improve our working conditions (Nature 489, 461–463; 2012). But our union's experience has shown that recommending changes is not enough: organizations need formal negotiating power to make them effective.

UAW Local 5810 has bargained collectively for measurable improvements for postdocs. These include a contract with a minimum salary scale that matches that of the US National Institutes of Health's National Research Service Award, a stable and comprehensive benefits plan, greater job security and the right to career-development resources.

The parental-leave policy negotiated by the union should help to address the under-representation of women in science and engineering and retain top talent. Also, our advocacy for an increase in federal research funding has earned the support of thousands of postdocs and more than 20 members of Congress from California.

These hard-won successes should be an encouragement to postdocs everywhere to organize union support (Nature 467, 739–741; 2010).