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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2008)
...Union card means higher wages compared to nonunion (From Page 1) percent). Notably, construction unions in- creased membership faster than the rate of job growth; the unionization rate was 13 percent in 2006. Manufacturing, on the other hand, lost unionized jobs faster than the sec- tor’s overall decline in employment. Union membership in manufacturing fell to 11.3 percent in 2007 from 11.7 percent in 2006. Manufacturing jobs were once identified with unionized employment, but today manufacturing workers are less likely to be in a union than the average U.S. worker. Industries with the lowest unioniza- tion were agriculture (1.5 percent) and finance (2 percent). Older workers were more likely to be union than younger workers — 16.1 percent of workers age 55 to 64 and 15.7 percent of workers 45 to 54 were union, while just 4.8 percent workers 16 to 24 were union. Unionization was higher for men (13.0 percent) than for women (11.1 percent). But the gap has narrowed since 1983, when the rate for men was about 10 percentage points higher than the rate for women. Since then, union- ization rates have declined for both men and women, but faster for men. Blacks were more likely to be union members (14.3 percent) than whites (11.8 percent), Asians (10.9 percent), or Hispanics (9.8 percent). And within racial categories, black men had the highest union member- ship rate (15.8 percent) while Hispanic women had the lowest (9.6 percent). And full-time workers were twice as likely as part-time workers to be union members (13.2 compared with 6.5 percent). About 1.6 million workers were represented by a union, while not be- ing union members themselves. Slightly more than half of them were employed in government. Union members had median weekly earnings of $863 (which works out to $44,876 a year), while nonunion workers had median weekly earnings of $663 ($34,476 a year). Having a union to negotiate wages explains part of the difference, the BLS report ex- plained, but there are other factors as well: union workers are more likely to be in higher-wage states, industries and occupations, and working for larger employers. New York had the highest unioniza- tion rate (25.2 percent), followed by Alaska (23.8 percent), Hawaii (23.4 percent), and Washington (20.2 per- cent). Lowest in the nation was North Carolina (3.0 percent); next lowest were Virginia (3.7 percent), South Car- olina (4.1 percent), Georgia (4.4 per- cent), and Texas (4.7 percent). Just six states accounted for nearly half of the nation’s 15.7 million union members: California, with 2.5 million; New York, 2.1 million; Illinois, Michi- gan, and Pennsylvania, with 0.8 mil- lion; and New Jersey, with 0.7 million. Combined, the six states had 7.8 mil- lion union members. For the first time, the unionization rate in the West (14.7 percent) ex- ceeded the unionization rate in the Midwest (13.8 percent). California, which added over 200,000 union members in 2007, was where much of the growth took place. Illinois, con- versely, weathered the largest loss of union membership of any state in 2007, as its share of unionized workers fell from 16.4 percent to 14.5 percent. Union membership as a proportion of the workforce is still well below 20.1 percent, which was where it stood in 1983, the first year for which com- parable data are available. Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain admitted to some sur- prise at the union membership rise. “Corporate America has been try- ing to drive a stake through our heart,” Chamberlain said. “But folks are figur- ing out how to organize even in the most difficult conditions.” And in survey after survey, Cham- berlain said, a majority of American workers say they want a union. The full report is available online at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/union 2.toc.htm. With the Teamsters UPS Freight workers in Seattle sign union cards An overwhelming majority of workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in the Seattle and Oakland, California, areas have signed authori- zation cards to become Teamsters. About 300 drivers and dockworkers are employed at the terminals, bringing the total number of UPS Freight workers who have submitted cards to more than 1,100 since last week, Teamsters Gen- eral President Jim Hoffa announced. “Now more than 1,100 workers at UPS Freight have taken the step to a more secure future,” Hoffa said. “The momentum is moving this campaign forward fast.” Chase is backing union members with the Union Plus ® Mortgage Program — a home purchase and refinancing program exclusively for union members, their parents and children. The Seattle-area workers are employed at terminals in Tukwila and in Kent, and seek to join Teamsters Local 174 in Seattle. “In recent years, we have fallen behind in this industry, so it’s great to see UPS Freight workers joining the Team- sters to gain the job security, fair pay and excellent benefits they deserve,” said Rick Hicks, secretary-treasurer of Local 174. In addition to the workers in Oakland and Seattle, a ma- jority of 833 workers in New England, Memphis and De- troit have submitted cards to become Teamsters. SERVING UNIONS FOR OVER 25 YEARS BEAVERTON, OR (503) 644-1400 Sarah Barber, D.D.S Charles Stirewalt, D.D.S. Chau Ngo, D.D.S. HILLSBORO, OR ORENCO STATION (503) 640-9999 • A wide variety of mortgages VANCOUVER, WA SALMON CREEK (360) 574-4574 MILWAUKIE, OR (503) 659-2525 Choose from fixed rate, adjustable-rate, and low- or no-closing costs options. Phong Bui, D.M.D. Charles Stirewalt, D.D.S. Chau Ngo, D.D.S. Stirewalt, P.C. PORTLAND, OR (503) 777-0761 SALEM, OR (503) 362-8359 • Special Lending First-time homebuyer and less-than-perfect credit programs. Protecting Union Member Smiles and Wallets. QUALITY, AFFORDABLE FAMILY DENTAL CARE Member-only savings on new purchases and refinance. It all adds up to more home-buying power. Contact your local Union Plus Mortgage Specialist General, cosmetic, and specialty care Call Bob Krueger at: 503-490-0459 Evening and Saturday appointments Most insurance and union plans accepted Easy credit and low monthly payments, O.A.C. Ask about our PAGE 4 VANCOUVER, WA FISHER’S LANDING (360) 891-1999 GRESHAM, OR (503) 492-8487 If you are unemployed or disabled. Union Plus is a registered trademark of Union Privilege. Eligibility for mortgage assistance begins one year after closing on a Union Plus Mortgage through Chase Home Finance. This offer may not be combined with any other promotional offer or rebate, is not transferable, and is available to bona fide members of par- ticipating unions. For down payments of less than 20%, mortgage insurance (MI) is required and MI charges ap- ply. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Program terms and conditions are subject to change with- out notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. ©2008 JP Morgan Chase & Co. All Rights Reserved. P-UP 104 2A-7604 Northwest Dental Associates, P.C. GRANTS PASS, OR (541) 479-6696 • FREE Mortgage Assistance Benefit • Savings on closing costs WILSONVILLE, OR (503) 682-8552 Dental Discount Program ORTHODONTICS AVAILABLE! 100 $ OFF NON COVERED DENTAL SERVICES There may be future costs based on diagnosis. Limit one per person. Not valid on diagnostic or preventative services. Not redeemable for cash or credit. Must surrender at time of service. Valid for cash, PPO, Indemnity patients only. Can't be combined, subject to change, expires 12/31/2008. 1-888-BRIGHT NOW www.BRIGHTNOW.com Smiles for Everyone! © 2007 Bright Now! Dental, Inc. NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS FEBRUARY 1, 2008
