UNION WORKER

A worker who, by paying union dues, belongs to an organization of workers whose role is to secure favorable wages, hours, and other working conditions for all members.

According to the International Labour Organization, unions have a substantial impact on the compensation and work lives of both unionized workers and non-unionized workers:

• Unions raise wages for unionized workers by roughly 20% and raise compensation, including both wages and benefits, by about 28%;
• Unions reduce wage inequality by raising wages for low- and middle-wage workers more than for higher-wage workers, for blue-collar more than for white-collar workers, and for workers who do not have a college degree;
• The most sweeping advantage for unionized workers is in fringe benefits. Unionized workers are more likely than their non-unionized counterparts to receive paid leave, are approximately 18% to 28% more likely to have employer-provided health insurance, and are 23% to 54% more likely to be in employer-provided pension plans;
• Unionized workers receive more generous health benefits than non-unionized workers. They also pay 18% lower health care deductibles and a smaller share of the costs for family coverage. In retirement, unionized workers are 24% more likely to be covered by health insurance paid for by their employer;
• Unionized workers receive better pension plans. Not only are they more likely to have guaranteed benefits in retirement, their employers contribute 28% more toward pensions; and
• Unionized workers receive 26% more vacation time and 14% more total paid leave (vacations and holidays).

(adapted from Mishel, L. and M. Walters How Unions Help all Workers, 2003, Economic Policy Institute, visited 2011-01-04)

Not all union members are trade unionists.