FEB. 6, 2009:NWLP
2/3/09
10:12 AM
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U.S. union ranks grow
despite tough economy
Union membership in the United
States rose from 12.1 percent to 12.4
percent last year, according to an annual
survey released by the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics.
The number of all workers covered
by collective bargaining agreements, in-
cluding those who choose not to be
union members, also grew in 2008, from
13.3 percent to 13.7 percent, bringing an
additional 518,000 workers under union
contracts in 2008.
Overall, the number of workers be-
longing to a union last year rose to 16.1
million. In 1983, the first year for which
comparable union data are available, the
union membership rate was 20.1 per-
cent, and there were 17.7 million work-
ers carrying union cards.
“This growth is remarkable given the
overall decline in employment in 2008
(a loss of 900,000 jobs in the nonunion
sector),” said Lawrence Mishel of the
Economic Policy Institute. “This is also
the first time in the 30 years of this data
series that union density rose two years
in a row.
In Oregon, union membership grew
b h
m k
by 32,000 — to 259,000, or 16.6 percent
of the workforce. Another 13,000 work-
ers were represented by a union.
Washington State remains ranked
No. 4 in the nation in terms of union
density, with the state’s 578,000 mem-
bers accounting for 19.8 percent of the
overall workforce. Membership actually
slipped by 1,000 from a year ago. How-
ever, the number of workers represented
by a union increased from 616,000 to
626,000 (21.5 percent of the workforce).
The BLS survey also reported on the
union advantage workers receive on
payday. In 2008, full-time union work-
ers earned a median weekly salary of
$886 while nonunion workers were paid
28 percent less per week — $691.
Union growth was broadly shared
across demographic lines and occupa-
tions. Growth was strongest in the pub-
lic sector, among Hispanics, and in
Western states.
The highest shares of unionization by
age were among workers aged 55-64
and 45-54 (nearly 17 percent), while the
lowest share (5 percent) was among
workers aged 16-24.
Bennett Hartman
Morris & Kaplan, llp
Attorneys at Law
Iron Workers
help IBEW
#48 go green
IBEW Local 48 is installing a 78 kW solar array at its union hall. The all-union project, when completed, will not only
provide 40 percent of the local’s electrical usage for the next 30 years, but also will be used to train members on the
design and installation of solar arrays. Late last month, apprentices from Iron Workers Local 29 — including Seth
Meeks (kneeling, photo above) and Brandon Lesbo — helped put up the steel structure. Installation of some 360 solar
panels will be performed by Local 48 apprentices and volunteers. Electrical equipment and supervision is being
provided by signatory contractor Dynalectric. The iron beams were designed by Oregon Iron Works. And Campbell
Crane donated equipment and an operator to set the steel. “The solar array will be a showcase for all prospective
parties interested in installing their own solar arrays,” said Dave Johnston, a Local 48 business rep. “Future apprentices
will be able see a large solar installation right next door.” The array should be up and running by mid-April. Iron
Worker apprentices getting class credit for working on the project were: Victor Labach, Brian Russo, Ron Sather,
Chris Estoos, Shane Jones, Jake Crow, Kathryn Lakey, Davis Curley, Kyle Schmidt, Brandon Lesbo, Mark Fleet,
Mike Billeter, Greg Fitzhugh, and Seth Meeks. Assisting the apprentices were instructor Mark Lautenschlager (project
supervisor) and Iron Workers Apprenticeship Coordinator Lee Worley.
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NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
FEBRUARY 6, 2009