Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2013 Union Membership Report
In 2013, the union membership rate—the percent of wage and salary workers who were members of unions—was 11.3 percent, the same as in 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The number of wage and salary workers belonging to unions, at 14.5 million, was little different from 2012.In 1983, the first year for which comparable union data are available, the union membership rate was 20.1 percent, and there were 17.7 million union workers.
The data on union membership were collected as part of the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly sample survey of about 60,000 households that obtains information on employment and unemployment among the nation’s civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and over
Highlights from the 2013 data:
- Public-sector workers had a union membership rate (35.3 percent) more than five times higher than that of private-sector workers (6.7 percent).
- Workers in education, training, and library occupations and in protective service occupations had the highest unionization rate, at 35.3 percent for each occupation group.
- Men had a higher union membership rate (11.9 percent) than women (10.5 percent).
- Among major race and ethnicity groups, black workers had a higher union membership rate in 2013 (13.6 percent) than workers who were white (11.0 percent), Asian (9.4 percent), or Hispanic (9.4 percent).
- Among states, New York continued to have the highest union membership rate (24.4 percent), and North Carolina had the lowest rate (3.0 percent).
- By age, the union membership rate was highest among workers ages 45 to 64—14.0 percent for those ages 45 to 54 and 14.3 percent for those ages 55 to 64.
- Full-time workers were about twice as likely as part-time workers to be union members, 12.5 percent compared with 6.0 percent
- In 2013, among full-time wage and salary workers, union members had median usual weekly earnings of $950, while those who were not union members had median weekly earnings of $750.
- In 2013, 16.0 million wage and salary workers were represented by a union. This group includes both union members (14.5 million) and workers who report no union affiliation but whose jobs are covered by a union contract (1.5 million). Private-sector employees comprised more than half (810,000) of the 1.5 million workers who were covered by a union contract but were not members of a union.
The BLS report falls short in that it negated to detail the states involved other then the mention of NY & N. Carolina. This is crucial in determining the median weekly earnings per union and non union worker which makes it deceiving at best simply because of location and the job being performed which could include incentives such as bonuses. It is a no brainer that two individuals working in companies that compete for profit of the same product but one is union and was isn’t would show a dicrepancy in earnings. That makes the point that unions are necessary for keeping business owners honest and fair monetarily with their employees. This is what draws another line in the sand between democrats (blue collar) and republicans (born with the perverbial silver spoon in their mouths)that react differently to this. The BLS makes a strong case for more workers to enter into union jobs and should shine light on non union positions that are underpayed. Unfortunately, republicans continue to pursue the destruction of unions to allow company owners the freedom of financial dictatorship over their workers.
MVS well said, all they care about is your money and to keep membership high….Protect the bad worker and screw the good worker…Waste of money….5 Day here we come
The Postal unions are about as good as a nail in a tire. All they want is your money. 31 years in the P.O.with out the union
@captn Jack,
I think you must be one of those lazy workers that the union fought for your job, but the USPS had to much dirt on you to win. So you despise unions.
Corporate America primary concern is bottom-line to increase earnings by whatever means they can get by with.
Ralph Lauren, Izod, Naticua, and many others manufacture clothing in China and other third world countries at lowest wage possible as in China
$1.76 hour and retail for $59.+ in US. Most large retail department stores do not sell any clothes made in America. Guatemala and other central America countries have had plants moved to their country. Employees paid least amount can get away with and many live in boxes surrounding the plants. Manufactures in US import labor from Mexico and Central America to work at minimum wage and if good employee can change green card as many as 5 times. Prevalent in carpet and landscape businesses. People from Europe get in this country via visa card and stay after visa is lapsed and displace American workers at lower wages. American marginal workers are placed with these groups without any benefits.
Automobile industry employees in this country are unionized and protected from scavengers due to union contracts. Sweat shops would exist without union representation. Although unions protect workers there are some who have no concern other than show and get a paycheck. Management and union conflicts result when steps are taken to rid these ungrateful non productive employees.
Unions are necessary to provide job protection, wage increases and benefits that would not exist if there was not negotiated contracts.
OH NO! What does that mean for Income equality? If we Union members make more then Mon Union members?
I live in NC. What is going on with union membership at 3%? That needs cut by at least 75% in the next 2 years!
1.5 million scabs.
And yet people fall for the right to work horseshit and run down unions, including scabs who carry mail but sure don’t have a problem with their pay, representation or retirement and insurance benefits. I’ll be the first to admit there is a lot wrong with some unions and their activities, but what organization is perfect?
I am a bit of a rarity among union people, especially as an NALC officer. I do not advocate and in fact hate it when members hide behind the union to do half or less the work other hard workers do, and some in union leadership approve and encourage such behavior.
Abuse of privileges makes everybody look bad and then those who appreciate their unions and go out and truly work their best are unfairly lumped in with the goof offs, who hog up more rep time than anybody because they’re constantly in trouble for being lazy jerks and run and cry to me to protect their sorry ass, which I’m legally bound to do. But my energy is devoted to supporting the good people and I carry and have always carried one of the toughest routes in the house. It’s a piss poor example to be a labor leader who won’t do his fair share, both to management and other fellow carriers.
I get a lot more cooperation and respect by setting a good example. We’ve had presidents who were slower than death and proud of it, and most of the branch detested them.
We need much more union involvement in this country but it must be done in the spirit of the original men and women who fought for truly worthy causes, such as eliminating child labor, 12 hour seven day work weeks, usually in steel mills, and no job security or benefits.
We take our vacations, eight hour days, overtime and other protections for granted but regardless of what some Republican asshole says, who hates you and your attempt to have any kind of standard of living, it’s unions who gained those rights.
People who hate organized labor are kissing the asses of big business whether they realize it or not. If their constant attacks on unions keeps up, they’ll get what they have coming to them – poverty wages and zero job stability. It is totally ironic for any worker to support anybody who would attack your wages and benefits. I have a person in my family who is a rabid GOP anti union jerk but has no problem not marrying my niece because he can sponge off the government for extra benefits as long as they’re single parents.
Just like some people to run down unions, entitlements, etc. while sticking their hands out every month. I can’t stand him.