The union membership rate in the United States was just 10% in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor's latest statistics . Despite this, there is still a strong push for companies to unionize, and union issues have become a key part of the 2024 election cycle. But while many people advocate for unions, others have pointed out their shortfalls.
Pro: Better working conditions Unions can "promote economic equality and build worker power, helping workers to win increases in pay, better benefits, and safer working conditions," said the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) . Pushes by unions for higher wages seem to be working, as the 17 states with the highest union densities "have state minimum wages that are on average 19% higher than the national average." There is also an "improved access to benefits, particularly for women and Black workers," said the Center For American Progress (CAP) .
When wages increase among union workers, these pay raises can often "spill over to nonunion workers." Con: Unions cost money This is perhaps the most obvious drawback of unions: they're not free . Unions "charge dues to pay the salaries of union leaders and workers during a strike," said Maryville University , and "some unions spend union dues on six-figure salaries for leaders and luxurious headquarters.
" Critics say this is "unfair to people who might have practical or ideological objections to the union and don't want to comply with requirements to pay dues or fees," according to SmartAsset . .