Unions Make Democracy Work for the Middle Class

Organized Labor Helps Ordinary Citizens Participate More and Have a Greater Say

SOURCE: AP/Lawrence Jackson

Union workers and supporters gathered at a rally in 2003 outside the U.S. Department of Labor, calling for legislation that makes it easier for workers to form a union, which is beneficial to the middle class and boosts our economy.

By David Madland, Nick Bunker | January 25, 2012

On Friday the Department of Labor will release data on the union status of the American workforce. Unfortunately the data are likely to show a decline in the percentage of workers who are unionized because of the one-two punch of long-term trends—such as the escalation of aggressive employer campaigns against union representation—and political attacks such as Wisconsin’s new law banning public-sector collective bargaining.

Even though less than 12 percent of all workers are currently union members, Americans—whether unionized or not—should care about this decline because unions give workers a bigger say in our economy and our political system. That helps the middle class, and it’s good for democracy. Read more.