US Union Membership Falls to Record Low of 9.9% in 2024

US Union Membership Falls to Record Low of 9.9% in 2024

Union membership in the United States declined slightly in 2024, reaching a record low of 9.9%, according to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This continues a decades-long trend of declining unionization rates across the workforce.

Membership Statistics and Trends

• Overall Membership:
  Approximately 14 million workers were union members in 2024, out of a total workforce of 145 million.
• Decline Since 1983:
  Union membership has fallen significantly from its peak of 20.1% in 1983.

Sector Comparison

• Government vs. Private Sector:
  Union membership rates remain highest in government work, with 32.2% of government employees unionized, compared to much lower rates in the private sector.
• Federal Employee Membership:
  Federal employee unionization rose slightly to 25.37%, up from 25.1% in 2023.

Economic Insights

• Wages:
  Union workers earn higher wages, with non-union employees earning about 85% of what union members make.
• Strongest Sectors:
  Education and protective services have the highest unionization rates.

Demographics and Regional Data

• Demographics:
  Men and Black workers are more likely to be unionized compared to women and other racial groups.
• Regional Trends:
  Union membership is highest in New York and Hawaii, while North Carolina, South Dakota, and South Carolina report the lowest rates.

Challenges from Policy Changes

• Political Impact:
  Recent policy moves, including the dismissal of key members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), have raised concerns about disruptions to labor organizing.
• Regulatory Shifts:
  Planned overhauls of civil service protections and workplace policies may affect union influence, particularly within federal employment.

Labor Advocacy Response

Despite overall declines, union organizing activity has grown. Union elections doubled since 2021, with 1,800 held last year. Notably, a Philadelphia-area Whole Foods became the first location of the Amazon-owned company to unionize.

Labor groups argue that delays in contract bargaining hinder accurate representation of union membership trends. The post-pandemic labor market, with tight employment conditions, has provided some opportunities for union expansion, particularly in the service sector.

“US Union Membership Falls to Record Low of 9.9% in 2024” “”US Union Membership Falls to Record Low of 9.9% in 2024”