AFSCME sees significant membership growth in 2024 union report
Union Membership Growth: AFSCME Welcomes New Members Amidst Economic Challenges
In a significant boost for labor organizations, AFSCME reported a substantial increase in membership during 2024. This announcement coincides with the release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) annual report on union membership and earnings, underscoring the relevance of unions in today's workforce.
AFSCME President Lee Saunders highlighted the expansion across various sectors, including health care, emergency response, and public safety, among others. "This growth comes after a year of relentless organizing, with new AFSCME locals forming in health care, emergency response, public safety, the cultural sector and more," Saunders stated in a press release. According to Saunders, organizing is a crucial pathway for workers seeking to improve their future prospects, especially amid increasing opposition from wealthy anti-union forces.
The BLS findings reveal that unionized workers enjoy several advantages over their nonunion peers, including better earnings and workplace conditions. Union members benefit from enhanced safety standards and access to superior benefits like health care and retirement plans. Specifically, the report shows that full-time union workers in 2024 earned a median weekly wage of $1,337, significantly higher than the $1,138 median for nonunion workers. This translates to a 17% wage premium for union members, which amounts to approximately $800 monthly and over $10,000 annually.
The benefits of union membership are even more pronounced for certain demographic groups. The BLS report details:
- Women in unions earned 21% more than their nonunion counterparts.
- Black workers also saw a 21% wage increase due to union membership.
- Hispanic union members experienced a remarkable 31% earnings advantage.
Lee Saunders emphasized the report's findings, stating, "As the Bureau of Labor Statistics illustrates in their annual report on union membership and earnings, unionized workplaces offer higher wages and better benefits, giving workers peace of mind." He noted that these benefits are particularly significant for women and workers of color, who see substantial reductions in pay disparities when they gain representation in unionized settings. As AFSCME moves into 2025, the focus remains on maintaining momentum in organizing efforts, both within and outside the organization.