The Union Difference

Union membership improves the lives of working families by giving members a strong voice. On the job, this means union members receive better wages and benefits, enjoy greater job stability and are more productive.

• Union workers earn 32 percent more than nonunion workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The union difference is even greater for women and people of color: Union women earn 39 percent more than nonunion women, African Americans in unions earn 45 percent more than nonunion counterparts and for Latino workers, the union advantage totals 54 percent.

• Among union workers, 85 percent in medium-sized and large establishments had health care benefits in 1995, compared with 74 percent of nonunion workers.

• Eighty-seven percent of union workers had pension plans in 1995, compared with 78 percent of nonunion workers. And union members' pensions are better: 79 percent of union workers – compared with 44 percent of non union workers – have "defined benefit" retirement coverage that provides a guaranteed monthly payment rather than "defined-contribution" plans, in which benefit amounts depend on how well the underlying investments perform.

• Nearly half of union workers have been with their current employer for at least 10 years, while only 22 percent of nonunion workers have that degree of job stability.

• Unions increase productivity: Most studies show that union workplaces are more productive. Shared decision-making, better training and lower turnover make a difference.

From AFL-CIO: A Voice for America's Working Families.

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