Union Membership Stagnates in 2024 Despite Major Organizing Victories

The Facts -

Union Membership Remains Steady Amidst Surge in Organizing Efforts

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has released its latest report on union density, revealing that the percentage of unionized workers has not changed significantly in 2024 despite significant organizing efforts across the nation.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler expressed her views on the report, emphasizing the strong desire among workers to join unions: "It’s plain as day that more working people want a union now than at any point in our lifetimes," Shuler stated, noting the widespread demand for fair treatment and better wages in various sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, and technology.

Although the BLS report indicates stagnant union membership, the number of union elections has seen a marked increase, doubling since 2021. Shuler credits this rise to initiatives by the previous Biden administration, which aimed at providing workers an equitable chance to unionize. The year 2024 alone witnessed nearly 1,800 union elections, with a majority resulting in victories for workers, such as the recent unionization of a Whole Foods location in Philadelphia.

Public support for unions has reached levels not seen in nearly seventy years, a sentiment driven by an economy that many feel favors the wealthy at the expense of workers. Successful organizing efforts at major companies like Starbucks and Amazon underscore this momentum. However, barriers persist, including alleged illegal union-busting activities by corporate leaders and outdated labor laws.

Shuler urged the current Trump administration to honor its pledges to support workers by advocating for legislative reforms, specifically the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which aim to modernize labor laws and facilitate union membership.

Despite these challenges, unions are experiencing a surge in membership, with organizations like the AFL-CIO growing to nearly 15 million members, thanks in part to new affiliations such as the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Looking ahead, union efforts will focus on organizing, empowering workers through strikes, and demanding respect from corporate and political leaders.

For further information, please contact Steve Smith at 202-637-5018.

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