Unions play a key role in helping Women sustain themselves and their families.

According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, Unionized Women make about $203 more per week than Non-Union Women in similar jobs, about a 21% increase.

And Union Women are far more likely to also have employed provided health insurance and an employer-sponsored pension or retirement plan.

Union contracts also provide the leave time for Workers to care for themselves and their families, protections against discrimination and safer working conditions.

And Union Membership is particularly important for many Women of color.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and National Partnership for Women and Families (NPWF), a non-profit group that advocates for economic and health justice for Women and families, recently reported that the percentage of Unionized Black Women increased from 10.3% to 10.5%, while Latina Women in Unions increased from 8.5% to 8.8%.

The NPWF found that in 2023, Unionized Latina Workers made almost $14,000 more per year than Non-Union counterparts.

Meanwhile, Black Union Women made about 20% more per week than Non-Union Workers.

Unionized Asian-American and Pacific Islander Women made about 7% more per week than Non-Union counterparts.

While Unions greatly advance the ongoing fight for gender equity, there is still work to do.

Women who work full time outside the home continue to face a wage gap.

On average, women are paid about 84 cents to every dollar paid to Men in comparable jobs.

The gender wage gap is even wider for Women of Color.

According to the NPWF, Asian American and Pacific Islander Women were paid 80 cents, while Black Women were paid 67 cents, Native American Women 59 cents and Latinas 57 cents.

While Union Membership Rates for Women - overall, remained largely unchanged from over the past year, the Labor Movement has seen some victories.

Union Organizing efforts remain strong and many groups of Workers also secured contracts that included wage increases, health care and job protections.

Labor also saw continued public support, with two-thirds of people participating in a Gallup Poll approving of Unions.

To Directly Access This Labor Perspective, Go To: Unions are good for women (cseany.org)