In a new report from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee and the House Committee on Education and Labor, the data once again shows that it pays to be a union member.
Titled “Unions Provide Major Economic Benefits for Workers and Families,” check out a few of the following report highlights:
- Unionized workers earn more and get better benefits. They earn 10.2% more than non-union workers. They are also more likely to have health insurance than their non-union peers. Better yet, union employer’s pay 77.4% more per hour towards health insurance.
- Not only do union workers have better pay and benefits – they have more control over their work-life balance. 1/3 of union workers get their work schedules with at least a week’s notice. Non-union workers do not get more than a week in advance. This is a serious advantage when it comes to school, childcare, transportation and much more.
- Unions play a significant role in addressing racial wealth inequalities. When unionized, Black workers experience increased pay of 17.3% and Hispanic works have increased pay of 23.7%.This is Community Wealth in action!
- The best part of it all – even non-unionized workers benefit from high rates of unionization. If you work in an industry with high rates of unionization, average wages are higher because non-union employers must compete against unionized employers and jobs to attract and keep workers.
Right now in the United States, we are witnessing serious shifts in unionization across a wide variety of industries. Now more than ever, people are seeing the clear benefits a union can provide to all parts of their lives. The report notes that union popularity hasn’t been this high since 1965!
Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee Don Beyer said “Unions are the foundation of America’s middle class. For too long, the wealthy have captured an increasing share of the economic pie. As this report makes clear, unions help address economic inequality and ensure workers actually see the benefits when the economy grows.”
To read the full report click here!