The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its annual report on union membership yesterday. Oregon’s numbers point to both an increase in union membership as well as the prolonged and continued rise of workers taking more collective actions and realizing the lifechanging power of organizing or joining a union on the job.
The number of union elections nationally has surged since 2021, driven by the Biden administration’s efforts to give workers a fair opportunity to join a union. In 2024, nearly 1,800 union elections took place, with workers securing victories in the vast majority of them. However, many of these wins aren’t fully reflected in yesterday’s numbers from the BLS, as employers continue to exploit a broken system that delays the bargaining of first contracts.
“Oregon unions continue to grow despite opposition from employers and their hired union busters along with broken labor laws that don’t reflect the needs of a modern workforce,” said Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO President. “At the heart of any increase in membership are workers and the absolute courage and tenacity it takes to stand together and call for change on the job. For some, it’s the need for safer working conditions. For others, it’s about being compensated fairly. And for all, it’s about ensuring the dignity and respect at work that we all deserve regardless of who we are or where we work. From healthcare to behavioral health to retail to manufacturing, the Oregon Labor Movement is growing and each new member adds a new voice and new strength to our efforts to build a truly fair and just economy for all.”
Oregon’s Union Membership Increased in 2024
In 2023,14.1% of employed Oregonians belonged to a union, which is around 255,000 workers. 15% of employed Oregonians were represented by unions, which is around 270,000 workers.
In 2024, 15.9% or 292,000 Oregonians belonged to unions and 17.5% or 321,000 were represented by unions.
That means that Oregon gained 37,000 union members equaling a 1.8% increase. Workers represented by unions grew by 51,000 or 2.5% increase. Oregon saw the third largest growth of represented workers in the country in 2024.
Part of a Bigger Picture
The rise in membership of Oregon unions did not happen on its own and is part of a larger narrative where working people are increasingly standing together to make change at work and to organize unions. Since 2023, Oregon’s union membership has climbed 13% in part due to the efforts of Oregon AFL-CIO affiliates like Oregon AFSCME who have been incredibly effective in organizing behavioral health workers across the Portland metropolitan area. Organizing in the healthcare sector is also a factor in why Oregon’s union membership continues to increase, including caregivers at long-term care facilities. While not reflected in the latest BLS statistics, the example of nurses at Legacy joining the Oregon Nurses Association is evidence of the sustained momentum by Oregon healthcare workers to stand together in unions at work.
Beyond behavioral health, healthcare, and long-term care, Oregon saw union organizing campaigns change the lives of workers including researchers at OHSU, medical laboratory workers, non-profit advocacy organizations, as well as baristas and a medley of service and retail workers. It is clear, both through the BLS report as well as in workplaces across Oregon, that workers understand the power of a union to level the playing field on the job.
The appetite for worker empowerment extends beyond the shop floor and into ballot boxes. In November, voters stood with Oregon cannabis workers by passing Measure 119 which clears significant roadblocks to those workers joining unions and bargaining collectively. Oregon unions expect to see state legislators continue this trend by passing a number of bills designed to empower workers during the 2025 legislative session, including extending unemployment benefits to workers on strike.
Outdated Labor Laws & Looming Federal Threats
A central issue facing workers trying to organize a union are the outdated labor laws that dictate the terms of how and when workers can stand together to build power. National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler addressed these concerns in a recent press statement:
“We call on the Trump administration to live up to its campaign promises to support workers by prioritizing fixing America’s broken labor law through the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act. These bills would finally update our archaic, broken laws and give workers what we so desperately want: a free and fair shot at joining a union on the job.”
Oregon unions remain vigilant of threats coming from the federal level that will roll back the rights of working people or become a detriment to organizing unions. That includes attacks on immigrants and LGBTQ+ workers. The Oregon AFL-CIO is committed to defending the rights of all workers, their right to belong to a union, and the right to collectively bargain.