United Employers Association

What United Employers Association does

United Employers Association (UEA) is a Pacific Northwest employers' association founded in 1906 in Portland, Oregon, originally as the United Metal Trades Association of the Pacific Coast and renamed to its current form in 1966. It serves member employers across Oregon and Washington with HR compliance support, employment law advisory, training, and compensation benchmarking.

The core product set is structured around three assets: (1) the Employer Helpline, providing unlimited access to in-house employment and labor law attorneys; (2) the Online HR Resource Portal, a library of 700+ downloadable HR forms and documents; and (3) the Zywave Learning LMS, which delivers 200+ HR, leadership, and compliance courses including multi-state harassment prevention training (covering CA, CT, DE, IL, ME, NY, and WA). Underlying technology is delivered primarily through third-party platforms (Zywave, YourMembership) rather than proprietary systems, and customized employee handbooks are provided through a separate UEA Inc. subsidiary line.

UEA generates revenue through a recurring membership dues model ($60/month base plus $2.80 per employee, with a $195 monthly minimum and $475 maximum), supplemented by professional services revenue from training, handbook customization, labor law posters, and regional and national compensation survey reports. Go-to-market is direct-to-employer, supported by an established vendor partner ecosystem (Asset Control, Canopy EAP, Payscale Peer, EAA, Barran Liebman, among others), LinkedIn and Facebook presence, and a partner referral program. The customer base is long-tail SMB employers across Oregon and Washington, with no disclosed enterprise anchors.

Name

United Employers Association

Legal name

United Employers Association

Website

https://unitedemployers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1906

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Employers Association is a Pacific Northwest member-based employers' association serving Oregon and Washington businesses with employment law advisory, HR compliance support, training, and compensation surveys on a subscription dues model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Employer Association / HR Services

NAICS

Professional Employer Organizations (561330), Employment Services (5613)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Compliance & Employment Law Risk Management (Local Labor Law, Tax, Statutory) (BPACAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

HR Compliance, Employment Law & Employee Relations Training (EDABAIAE), Labor Relations & Employment Practice Advisory (BPAHAGAK), Workforce Benefits Administration (Enrollment & Deductions) (BPACAIAF), Employment & Labor Law (BPAHAAAD)

Keywords

• HR consulting services
• Employment law compliance
• Employer association membership
• Workplace training programs
• Compensation benchmarking surveys

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual or quarterly membership dues providing access to all core services including Employer Helpline, HR Resource Portal, training platform, and survey participation
2. Training Services: Revenue from public workshops, onsite training, and certification courses including First Aid/CPR, harassment prevention, supervision, and safety training
3. Survey Reports: Free survey reports for participating members; non-participating members and non-members pay $75-$1,090 for survey reports
4. Labor Law Posters: Sale of compliance labor law posters and Compliance Protection Plans for federal and state requirements
5. Employee Handbooks: Custom employee handbook development, review, and rewrite services for members at affordable fees

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

United Employers Association is a member-based employers' association that provides Oregon and Washington employers with unlimited access to employment-law attorneys and HR professionals via an Employer Helpline, a 24/7 Online HR Resource Portal containing 700+ forms and compliance guides (Zywave-powered), and a learning platform with 200+ online training courses. Members also receive access to regional compensation and benefits surveys (including Payscale Peer), labor-law posters, employee handbook services, safety consultation, labor-relations support, HRIS tools, and partner-provided services such as EAPs, pre-employment screening, conflict resolution and bookkeeping at negotiated rates.

Product overview

United Employers Association offers a comprehensive membership-based HR services platform serving Oregon and Washington employers. The core offering is built around unlimited access to an Employer Helpline staffed by HR professionals and employment law attorneys, combined with an Online HR Resource Portal providing over 700 downloadable forms and compliance tools. The product suite includes integrated Zywave Learning (over 200 online training courses), multiple survey tools for compensation benchmarking (Payscale Peer, Salary Budget, National Policies/Benefits, Business Trends), and specialized services including Safety Consultation, Labor Relations, and HRIS platforms. Additional offerings span Employee Assistance Plans (via Canopy), Conflict Resolution (via In-Accord), Pre-Employment Screening (via Asset Control), Labor Law Posters, Employee Handbooks, Affirmative Action Plans, and First Aid/CPR Training. The portfolio operates as a modular ecosystem where members can select services based on their HR needs, with pricing structured around membership tiers and per-service fees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Employer Helpline Unlimited access to UEA's team of human resources professionals and employment-law attorneys for assistance with employment issues including hiring, discipline, discharge, reductions in force, and compliance with state and federal laws. Available to UEA members.
• Online HR Resource Portal 24/7 online library of HR resources including over 700 downloadable forms, posters, model notices, plus tools for creating performance reviews and job descriptions; available to UEA members through the Zywave portal.
• Online Training (Zywave Learning) Online learning platform with over 200 courses covering HIPAA, COBRA, supervision, leave laws, OSHA, workplace safety, cybersecurity, hiring/termination and state-mandated sexual-harassment prevention training for CA, CT, DE, IL, ME, NY, and WA. Includes an employer dashboard for managing staff training and automated reminders.
• Compensation Analysis Services Compensation benchmarking through Payscale Peer, Salary Budget Survey, Policies and Benefits Survey, and Business Trends Survey, plus review, revision, design and implementation of compensation programs.
• Payscale Peer Access to up-to-date employer-reported compensation data for over 5,000 benchmark positions across industries, departments and levels; data refreshed daily, with demographic cuts and confidentiality protected by a minimum-five-companies display rule.
• HRCI Alliance Partnership Partnership with the HR Certification Institute providing UEA members up to 12 Recertification Credits per renewal cycle, access to Recertification HRCI Concierge, and $50 off PHR, SPHR or GPHR exam fees.
• HRIS Platform Web-based solutions for employee information management, internal communication, and benefits administration; reduces time for employee onboarding and offboarding, simplifies benefits administration and supports ACA reporting compliance.
• Affirmative Action Plans Preparation of Affirmative Action plans or annual updates for federal contractors and subcontractors with 50+ employees and $50,000+ in federal contracts, including guidance through Office of Federal Contract Compliance audits.
• Labor Law Posters All-in-one labor law posters covering federal, state, and OSHA postings; full-color laminated 25"x39" format, with Compliance Protection Plans available for 12, 24, or 36 months. Oregon, Washington, and Federal-only options available in English or Spanish.
• Employee Handbooks Employee handbook review, update and creation services; UEA attorneys tailor handbooks to specific company needs and ensure policies reflect recent changes in employment law.
• Labor Relations Cost-effective labor relations and collective bargaining services for union and non-union employers. For union employers: organizing campaigns, contract negotiations, grievances, arbitration, and NLRB charges. For non-union employers: employee opinion surveys, management advisory services, and policy drafting.
• Safety Consultation Safety audits, consultation, and training services including accident analysis, safety policy writing, confined space requirements, job hazard analysis, OSHA/WISHA record-keeping, safety committee problem solving, and OSHA 10 and 30 training and certification.
• Employee Assistance Plan (Canopy EAP) Confidential EAP offered through Canopy (formerly Cascade Centers) at discounted member rates — including personal consultation, work/family/life resources, legal consultations, financial coaching, home ownership assistance, and gym membership discounts.
• Conflict Resolution (In-Accord) Workplace conflict resolution services through partner In-Accord using professional mediators and facilitators for conflict management, relationship repair and productivity improvement; UEA members receive a special discount.
• Pre-Employment Screening (Asset Control) Pre-employment screening services through partner Asset Control using a web-based, FCRA-compliant platform (Adverse Action Module). Covers criminal history, social security trace, employment history, motor vehicle, drug testing and physicals; partnership since 2009.
• Salary and Benefit Surveys Survey program including National Policy and Practices Survey, National Benefits Survey, Salary Budget Survey, and Business Trends Survey. Participating UEA members receive survey reports at no cost; others pay $75–$1,090 per report.
• First Aid/CPR Training First Aid, CPR and AED certification training in partnership with Bridgetown Training Solutions — meets OSHA requirements for Washington and Oregon; in-person and blended learning formats at $75 member / $85 non-member pricing.
• Onsite Training Customizable on-site workshops covering Harassment Prevention, Supervision Essentials, Train the Trainer, Forklift Operator Training, Accident Investigation, and various safety topics — delivered at member company sites.
• Bookkeeping and Accounting Services (Accounted) Bookkeeping and accounting services through partner Accounted — a Portland-based firm offering accounts payable/receivable, reconciliation, payroll processing, month-end reports and CFO services; UEA members receive discounted flat-rate monthly pricing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members save time and money through access to compliance resources and expert guidance
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Zywave LearningcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline learning management system provider offering over 200 training courses to UEA members. Includes state-mandated harassment prevention training for CA, CT, DE, IL, ME, NY, and WA.
• AccountedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortland-based bookkeeping and accounting firm offering services to UEA members at discounted flat-rate pricing. Provides complete accounting team services from basic bookkeeping to CFO level support.
• Asset ControlcoreTechnology or IntegrationPre-employment screening provider with web-based system fully compliant with FCRA. Offers criminal, social security trace, employment history, motor vehicle, drug testing and physicals. Partnership since 2009.
• Canopy EAP (formerly Cascade Centers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployee Assistance Plan provider offering confidential services including personal consultation, work/family/life resources, legal consultations, financial coaching, and gym discounts at discounted member rates.
• In-AccordsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional mediation and conflict resolution services. Uses advanced conflict management techniques to repair workplace relationships and improve productivity. UEA members receive special discount.
• Bridgetown Training SolutionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvider of First Aid/CPR and AED certification training meeting OSHA requirements for Washington and Oregon. Offers both in-person and blended learning classes.
• Safety NorthwestsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOccupational safety and health consulting. Assists clients with OSHA compliance, safety culture building, and risk management including Total Worker Health approach.
• Fierce, Inc.supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLeadership and talent development training provider. Expert in organizational effectiveness and change management with global experience across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America.
• Payscale PeercoreTechnology or IntegrationCompensation data platform providing up-to-date employer-reported data for over 5,000 benchmark positions. Data refreshed daily and validated by compensation professionals.
• Employers Associations of America (EAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for conducting National Benefits Survey and Business Trends Survey, providing comprehensive national and local benefits data to member companies.
• Catapult EAsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSister association partner providing training programs including MS Excel for HR, email communication, and time management courses.
• Barran LiebmansupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEmployment law firm providing guidance on employee benefits, health care reform, and leave issues. Iris Tilley, J.D., M.B.A. serves as facilitator.
• YourMembership.comsupportingTechnology or IntegrationAssociation management software provider powering the UEA website with membership management, event management, and online store capabilities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Rippling: Unified HR, IT, and finance platform for SMBs and mid-market, bundling payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR workflows. Represents the new generation of digital HR platforms competing with traditional employer associations for member attention and budget.
• Justworks: Tech-forward PEO providing payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR support to small and mid-sized businesses. Targets the same SMB segment as UEA with a modern, digital-first experience that competes for the same member wallet.

Broad incumbents

• Insperity: Large national PEO providing bundled HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance services to SMBs and mid-market employers. Comparable end-customer segment and overlapping services (HR admin, benefits, compliance) but at significantly greater scale and with co-employment model.
• Fisher Phillips: National labor and employment law firm advising employers on compliance, litigation, and workplace law. Comparable to UEA's employer-side employment law advisory capability but at much larger scale and with litigation specialization.
• ADP TotalSource: ADP's PEO division offering co-employment HR outsourcing, benefits administration, and compliance support to SMBs. Overlaps with UEA on HR and benefits administration but operates at national scale with deeper technology stack.
• TriNet: PEO serving small and mid-market businesses with HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance. Comparable to UEA's SMB focus with deeper technology, broader benefits, and national scale.
• Paychex PEO: Paychex's PEO offering bundling payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance for SMBs. Competes with UEA on the HR/benefits/comministration services tier for the same Oregon and Washington SMB customer base.

Direct peers

• Employers Council: Colorado-based employer association providing HR training, employment law advice, surveys, and workplace consulting to member employers. Highly comparable member-based service model with similar product portfolio (helpline, training, surveys, handbooks).
• Cascade Employers Association: Pacific Northwest (Washington and Oregon) employer association offering HR consulting, training, labor relations, and compliance services to member companies. Most direct regional peer to UEA, operating with similar membership, helpline, and survey-driven model.
• Employers Association of New Jersey: New Jersey employer association offering HR, training, and employment law services to member companies. Direct peer operating the same membership-driven HR services model in a different state geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Employers Association