The Union Difference

Union workers enjoy significant advantages over workers who don't have a voice on the job with a union. They earn more money, and get more and better health insurance, guaranteed pensions, vacations and paid personal leave. The Union difference is especially significant for women, African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans.

Union Advantage by the Numbers

Union workers earn higher wages and get more benefits than workers who don’t have a voice on the job with a union.

Union workers’ median weekly earnings $917
Nonunion workers’ median weekly earnings $717
Union wage advantage 28%

Union women’s median weekly earnings $856
Nonunion women’s median weekly earnings $639
Union wage advantage for women 34%

African American union workers’ median weekly earnings $772
African American nonunion workers’ median weekly earnings $589
Union wage advantage for African Americans 31%

Latino union workers’ median weekly earnings $771
Latino nonunion workers’ median weekly earnings $512
Union wage advantage for Latinos 51%

Asian American union workers’ median weekly earnings $909
Asian American nonunion workers’ median weekly earnings $842
Union wage advantage for Asian Americans 1%

Union workers covered by employer-provided health insurance 78%
Nonunion workers covered by employer-provided health insurance 50%
Union health insurance advantage 56%

Union workers without health insurance coverage 2.9%
Nonunion workers without health insurance coverage 14.2%
Nonunion workers are four times more likely to lack health insurance coverage

Union workers covered by guaranteed (defined-benefit) pensions 34%
Nonunion workers covered by guaranteed (defined-benefit) pensions 11%
Union pension advantage 209%

Union workers with short-term disability benefits 47%
Nonunion workers with short-term disability benefits 34%
Union short-term disability benefits advantage 38%

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Union Members–2010, Jan. 21, 2011; U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employee Benefits in the United States, March 2010, July 27, 2010; Employee Benefit Research Institute, EBRI Notes, October 2009.