EPI Says 30% US Unionization Would Shift $1.2 Trillion to Workers, Lift Median Pay 14.5%
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 15
EPI Says 30% US Unionization Would Shift $1.2 Trillion to Workers, Lift Median Pay 14.5%
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 15
Summary
A new Economic Policy Institute report says raising US union density to 30% from about 10% would add $7,700 a year to the median worker’s pay, transferring more than $1.2 trillion annually to workers.
The report ties that gain to union wage premiums of 15% to 20% and spillover effects that also lift non-union pay, saying stronger bargaining would reverse about one-third of the rise in inequality since 1979.
Union density topped 30% in the 1950s but fell to 22.2% in the 1980s and 10% in 2025, a decline the report links to corporate union busting and anti-union laws.
More than 68% of Americans viewed unions favorably in 2025, and the report says over 50 million workers would join one if they could.
Its roadmap includes passing the PRO Act and public-sector bargaining protections; revoking right-to-work laws and bargaining restrictions alone would lift union density from 9.9% to 14.4%.
Beyond raising wages, would tripling union membership ultimately help or harm the broader U.S. economy and consumer prices?
With federal labor protections under legal attack, what new strategies can workers use to successfully organize and bargain for better conditions?
Could shareholder pressure on excessive CEO pay be a more effective tool for redistributing wealth than traditional union organizing?
Rebuilding Worker Power: The Case for Tripling U.S. Union Density and Its Economic Consequences
Overview
Union membership in the U.S. has dropped from 20.1% in 1983 to just 10.0% in 2025, reflecting a long-term decline in union density. This trend has contributed to persistent economic inequalities and challenges to community well-being. The Economic Policy Institute highlights that rebuilding union strength is essential for reversing these issues, as unions are proven to secure higher earnings for workers and support healthier, more equitable communities. The report emphasizes that stronger unions are not only good for workers’ paychecks but also play a vital role in creating a fairer and more prosperous society.