New research by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) shows Workers with a disability who are Members of a Union earn higher wages and are more likely to have benefits than those who are not.  The analysis found that between 2016 and 2023, the mean hourly wage for a Worker with a disability and represented by a Union was $31.99 - almost $5 higher than the wage for a Non-Union Worker with a disability. Additionally, the impact of Union Representation on wages persisted across categories of disabilities, with those with personal care difficulties seeing the largest adjusted percentage boost, 23%, followed by those with hearing difficulties, at 19.1%.  Beyond wages, the CEPR analysis found even after controlling for other factors, Union Workers with a disability also have greater access to employer-sponsored health insurance (69.7% versus 49.3%) and retirement benefits (46.5% versus 30.1%).  “It is clear Workers with disabilities gain substantial economic advantages when they belong to a Union,” CEPR Research Associate Hayley Brown said.  “These findings highlight the vital role Unions play in advocating for equitable compensation for (Workers with a disability) while also pointing to ongoing challenges that need to be addressed to achieve full economic parity.”

To Read The Report, Go To: Union Workers with Disabilities: Higher Wages and More Benefits - Center for Economic and Policy Research (cepr.net)