The Union Difference

Union membership is key to preserving and building a thriving middle class in the United States. Why? Because unions:

  • Raise Wages—Especially for Minorities and Women >>learn more
  • Provide Higher Pay in Nearly All Occupational Groups >>learn more
  • Ensure Better Health Care and Pensions >>learn more
  • Are Good for Business, Productivity, and the Economy >>learn more
  • Help Bring Low-Wage Workers Out of Poverty >>learn more
  • Help Bring Workers Into the Middle Class>>learn more

The Union Difference By the Numbers

  • Union workers earn higher wages and get more benefits than workers who don’t have a voice on the job with a union.
  • Union workers’ median weekly earnings $863
  • Nonunion workers’ median weekly earnings $663
  • Union wage advantage 30%
  • Union women’s median weekly earnings $790
  • Nonunion women’s median weekly earnings $592
  • Union wage advantage for women 33%
  • African American union workers’ median weekly earnings $732
  • African American nonunion workers’ median weekly earnings $533
  • Union wage advantage for African Americans 37%
  • Latino union workers’ median weekly earnings $736
  • Latino nonunion workers’ median weekly earnings $487
  • Union wage advantage for Latinos 51%
  • Asian American union workers’ median weekly earnings $853
  • Asian American nonunion workers’ median weekly earnings $823
  • Union wage advantage for Asian Americans 4%
  • Union workers covered by employer-provided health insurance 78%
  • Nonunion workers covered by employer-provided health insurance 49%
  • Union health insurance advantage 59%
  • Union workers without health insurance coverage 2.5%
  • Nonunion workers without health insurance coverage 15%
  • Nonunion workers are five times more likely to lack health insurance coverage
  • Union workers covered by guaranteed (defined-benefit) pensions 67%
  • Nonunion workers covered by guaranteed (defined-benefit) pensions 15%
  • Union pension advantage 347%
  • Union workers with short-term disability benefits 60%
  • Nonunion workers with short-term disability benefits 35%
  • Union short-term disability benefits advantage 71%
  • Union workers’ average days of paid vacation 15 days
  • Nonunion workers’ average days of paid vacation 11.75 days
  • Union paid vacation advantage 28%

(Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Union Members in 2007, Jan. 25, 2008; U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Compensation Survey: Employee Benefits in Private Industry in the United States, March 2007, August 2007; Economic Policy Institute; Employee Benefits Research Institute, May 2005.)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF UNION MEMBERSHIP In addition to the benefits of collective bargaining, members of AFL-CIO union members have access to a wide array of members-only benefits, including low-interest credit cards, scholarships, mortgages, legal services and more. Most of the products and services listed here are members-only. But if you’re not represented by a union, you can access some great services and products as well.

  • Union Plus Union Plus is brought to you by Union Privilege, established by the AFL-CIO, to provide consumer benefits to members and retirees of participating labor unions. Union Plus offers many products and services, including travel discounts on hotels, car rental and more. Below are details on some of their services; for more information and to see the full list, please visit the Union Plus website.

  • Retirement Planning Concerned about planning for retirement? Get help at the Union Plus Retirement Planning website.

  • Mortgage and Real Estate This Union Plus program makes refinancing and home buying more affordable for working families, offering an easy application process, closing cost assistance and more.

  • Consumer Credit Counseling Certified consumer credit counseling advisers work with union members to help them eliminate their debt.

  • Credit Cards Carry the card that works as hard as you do: the Union Plus® Credit Card, exclusively for working families. Explore the many reasons to apply today.

  • Everyday Savings Health club discounts, 20 percent off flower service, discounts on union-made clothing and more.

  • Scholarships Union members and their children can tap into a range of education benefits.

  • Union Plus Scholarship Program A program offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation provides scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 to members of unions participating in any Union Plus program, their spouses and dependent children.

  • Union Scholarship Database A searchable database of union-sponsored scholarships.

  • The Union Shop The AFL-CIO’s online store for union-made products is a one-stop shop for a variety of clothing, publications, music, videos, cards, buttons and more. Includes links to other union stores online.

  • Union Label The AFL-CIO Union Label and Service Trades Department website provides information on union-made goods and services, featuring a national Do Not Buy list, the Label Letter newsletter and a new website, www.ShopUnionMade.org.

  • AFL-CIO Employees Federal Credit Union A non-profit financial cooperative providing union members, union staff and their families with a range of savings, checking and loan services.

  • Amalgamated Bank The nation’s only fully union-owned bank, in operation since 1923, provides a full menu of individual and commercial banking services.