...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
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MILWAUKIE, OR
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options.
Phong Bui, D.M.D.
Charles Stirewalt, D.D.S.
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(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