Washington, D.C. — Roughly half of workers say they want to join a union, but only about 6 percent of private sector workers are members. A new Center for American Progress analysis identifies six proven policies that can close that gap and significantly boost union membership.
Elected leaders can play a decisive role in helping workers organize and collectively bargain. A combination of policies working together can help overcome existing structural barriers and create a broadly supportive environment for unions to thrive. While federal action is needed to fully implement many of these reforms, states have tools to move forward on a number of key issues.
“Workers want a voice on the job, but the current system makes it far too difficult to organize and bargain collectively,” said David Madland, senior fellow to the American Worker Project at CAP and author of the analysis. “If we are serious about building an economy that works for workers, these policies have to be part of the solution.”
The analysis identifies six proven policy strategies that increase union membership:
- Strengthen workplace organizing and bargaining. Policies that limit employer interference, support fair union elections, and ensure workers can secure first contracts increase the likelihood that workers successfully form unions and join them.
- Improve union access to workers. Giving unions the ability to communicate with workers, including access to contact information and workplace spaces, significantly boosts recruitment and retention.
- Promote sectoral bargaining. Establishing industrywide standards expands organizing opportunities, reduces employer resistance, and creates a level playing field that supports union growth. Recent CAP modeling finds that sectoral bargaining could help significantly increase membership and coverage.
- Create Ghent-style systems. Allowing unions to help administer public benefits increases worker engagement and can raise union membership rates by large margins. International evidence shows these systems can increase union membership by more than 20 percent.
- Support dues paying. Policies that make it easier for workers to contribute to unions, including repealing right-to-work laws, encourage membership and strengthen unions’ ability to operate.
- Provide public funding for union activities. Measures such as tax credits for dues or support for striking workers reduce the cost of participation and increase membership.
Read the analysis: “6 Policies Proved To Increase Union Membership” by David Madland
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Christian Unkenholz at [email protected].