Union Members in US – Who are they?

As Labor Day approaches, we honor the labor leaders and working people throughout history who have fought for labor protections and a voice on the job. In 2017, unions continue to fight for labor standards and higher wages in traditionally unionized sectors, like manufacturing, along with new industries, like digital journalism.

Today’s unions are diverse. 42 percent of union members are women and more than a third are black, Hispanic, Asian, or other nonwhite workers. Together, about two-thirds of working people age 18 to 64 and covered by a union contract are women and/or people of color. As of 2016, roughly 10.6 million of the 16.3 million American workers covered by a union contract are women and/or people of color.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at Who are today’s union members? | Economic Policy Institute