Labor Movement Grows in New York State

Albany – “The Labor Movement has a long and proud history in New York State, and our numbers continue to grow,” said New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento.

According to the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York State gained 75,000 union members in 2017 to remain the most unionized state in the country. Union membership increased to 23.8 percent of the workforce.

“We are proud to add an additional 75,000 members to the Labor Movement, allowing us to provide even more dedicated working men and women with good, solid, middle class jobs and an opportunity for a better life. In fact, the report shows that more than 30 percent of new jobs created in New York are union jobs,” Cilento added.

“The Labor Movement provides the best way for working people to get ahead; particularly at a time when the rights of working men and women are under attack by the fringe right in Washington. We remain committed to fighting for all working people because, when the Labor Movement is thriving we not only raise the wages, benefits and conditions of employment of union members, we raise the standard of living and quality of life of all working people,” said Cilento.

The report released today shows that nationwide, union members continue to earn more than nonunion members. Union members had median usual weekly earnings of $1,041 in 2017, compared to nonunion workers who had median weekly earnings of $829. That adds up to more than $11,000 in income per year.