The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its annual report on union membership finding that the number of union members in the Unites States remained unchanged at 10.7% of the labor force. This statistic represents both wage and salaried workers in unions both in the private and public sectors. The number of employees belonging to unions in 2017 rose to 14.8 million, up 262,000 from 2016.
In Michigan union membership also increased last year. The BLS reported 52,000 more union workers in 2017 bringing total union membership in Michigan to 658,000 workers. Total employment in Michigan was 4.23 million bringing the percentage of unionization in Michigan to 15.6% of the workforce both public and private.
Michigan was tied for 4th largest population of union workers along with Pennsylvania but was behind California, New York, and Illinois. Hawaii has a higher percentage of unionized workers at 21.3%.
Which states have the lowest union membership currently? South Carolina (2.6%), North Carolina (3.4%), and Utah (3.9%).
Public sector workers continue to have the most unionized workforce with 34.4% of workers in the public sector in a union. Only 6.5% of the private workforce overall is in a union.
Does this mean union membership has leveled off after dropping for decades? Possibly. However, gains to the union workforce are coming more from employers already unionized that are hiring more workers into bargaining unit positions. Union organizing of new collective bargaining units has so far not substantially increased, even with three years under the NLRB “Quickie” election rules. These organizing rules favor labor organizers but are being reviewed by the Trump administration and may be rescinded.
Non-union employers are advised to be vigilant. Pay fairly, actively listen to your workers, and most importantly train your supervisors on proper management. Also keep an eye out for union “salts.” ASE heard from a company that is now being organized. A newly hired employee was a union organizer. This tactic has been around for a while but not frequently seen in the manufacturing sector. ASE can assist you with all three of these important areas of positive employee relations as well as developing policies that can be used to address “dual employmen.t”
ASE provides support to members that are unionized too. Labor professionals and managers are invited to join ASE’s Labor Forum that meets quarterly to discuss issues of mutual concern. Topics include collective bargaining preparation, contract administration, management-labor communications, and much more. The next Labor Forum is scheduled for March 22, 2018 at ASE. To join this forum contact Michael Burns at [email protected] or (248) 223-8039.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics