What are the benefits of joining a union?

Unions Raises Wages - Especially for Minorities and Women

Union membership helps raise workers' pay and narrow the income gap that disadvantages minorities and women. Union workers earn 28 percent more than nonunion workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary work were $781, compared with $612 for their nonunion counterparts.

The union wage benefit is even greater for minorities and women. Union women earn 34 percent more than nonunion women, African American union members earn 29 percent more than their nonunion counterparts, for Latino workers, the union advantage totals 59 percent and for Asian workers, the union advantage is 11 percent. Union Pay Is Higher in All Occupational Groups.

Union Pay Is Higher in All Occupational Groups

In every occupational category, union members earn more than nonunion workers. By comparing the wages of workers within occupational groups, the union difference is most clear.

Union Workers Have Better Health Care and Pensions.

Union workers are more likely than their nonunion counterparts to receive health care and pension benefits, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 89 percent of union workers in private industry participated in medical care benefits, compared with only 67 percent of nonunion workers. Union workers also are more likely to have retirement and short-term disability benefits.

As the chart below illustrates, 84 percent of union workers are covered by pension plans versus 56 percent of nonunion workers. Seventy percent of union workers have defined-benefit retirement coverage, compared with 16 percent of nonunion workers. (Defined-benefit plans are federally insured and provide a guaranteed monthly pension amount. They are better for workers than defined-contribution plans, in which the benefit amount depends on how well the underlying investments perform.)

Union workers are more likely to have health and pension benefits.

The Union Difference

Workers' Incomes Are Lower in States Where Workers Don't Have Union Rights

In states that have laws restricting workers' rights to form strong unions, the average pay for all workers is lower. So-called "right-to-work" laws that limit workers' rights to collectively bargain contracts (including wages and benefits) are a bad deal for all workers. Average pay in so-called "right-to-work" states was 15 percent lower than in states where workers have the freedom to form strong unions.

Percentage of Workers in Unions.

Annual Average Pay.

Note: Right-to-work states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Average annual wages for all covered workers by state.

Unions Are Good for Productivity

Unions increase productivity, according to most recent studies. The voice that union members have on the job—sharing in decision-making about promotions and work and production standards—increases productivity and improves management practices. Better training, lower turnover and longer tenure also make union workers more productive.

How Unions Help Bring Low-Wage Workers Out of Poverty

Union members in low-wage occupations on average earn a great deal more than nonunion workers in the same occupations, often lifting their earnings rates above the official poverty level. For example, union security guards may earn $10.97 per hour, 36 percent more than nonunion workers in the same occupation. Over a year’s time, having a SPFPA union card could translate into almost $6,100 more in pay for such a low-wage worker.

Union workers also often gain better benefits, including health insurance and pensions. While not a total cure, union membership can go a long way toward worker self-sufficiency in today’s economy.