Labor Unions Industry Profile

Establishments in this industry represent members in employment contract negotiations and provide workplace support. Major organizations in the US include the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; the National Education Association; and the Service Employees International Union. Outside the US, major organizations include the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, and France's General Confederation of Labor.

Worldwide, trade union membership is highest in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Ireland, Austria, Italy, Canada, and the UK, among others, according to NationMaster.

The US labor union industry includes about 14 million members in 2023. About 10% of US workers belong to unions. The union membership rate for public-sector workers is more than 32%, which is more than five times higher than the rate for private-sector workers.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Business and job growth drive demand. The profitability of individual organizations depends on ability to expand membership. Large unions have stronger bargaining power and advantages in marketing and finance. Small unions can succeed by serving a local market or individuals in specialized industries or professions.

Organized labor's decline in the US over the past several decades has been driven by greater labor mobility, the flight of manufacturing jobs from the US, and Right-to-Work (RTW) and other states laws restricting the power of unions.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

The majority of revenue comes from member dues, business & professional association ...