State's union membership increase shows working Minnesotans are demanding a voice at work

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics released data today showing Minnesota’s union membership rate rose from 14.2% of the overall workforce in 2016 to 15.2% in 2017 – an increase of 46,000 working people and nearly 5% higher than the national rate.

“These numbers show that despite political threats from Washington, more working Minnesotans are exercising their freedom to join together in unions to negotiate for a better life,” said Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy. “It’s no coincidence that as union membership increased in 2017, so did Minnesotans’ average wages. Union workers set standards for wages and safety that benefit all working people.”