(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – A recent report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) asks a bold question: What would the United States look like if we tripled Union Membership? The EPI found a range of economic and social benefits - such as higher wages, greater access to health insurance and a stronger democracy. This post examines another social good generated by Unions: Strong investment in Public Education. Investment in Public Education was one of the key reasons the U.S. became the richest country in the world in the 20th Century. Universal education has many positive effects, including creating a more productive workforce and a more informed and engaged Democratic Society. Unions play a key role in advocating for public spending in education. States with higher Unionization rates spend substantially more per student on education. In sum, there are many ways Unions support Workers and their communities, and their consistent support of Public Education shouldn’t be discounted. From advocating for enough funding for high-quality education to defending against education privatization, Unions support our Nation’s commitment to universal Public Education - which not only improves students’ academic achievement, but also their economic outcomes well into adulthood.

To Read This EPI Report In Its Entirety, Go To: Unions are key to high-quality public education | Economic Policy Institute