Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Unions positively impact US workers' wages, benefits, democracy

There is an interesting new study out the US that documents the impact of unions on workers lives. Among its findings are:

On average, the 17 U.S. states with the highest union densities have:
  • higher than average minimum wages, and minimum wage sup to 40% higher than those in low-union-density states
  • higher median annual incomes 
  • more unemployed workers eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits
  • fewer workers without health insurance
  • a greater likelihood of legislated paid sick leave laws and paid family and medical leave laws 
  • fewer restrictive voting laws.
You can read the full study at the link above.

-- Bob Barnetson