By Nicolas Martinez and Lulit Shewan

2 min read.

CLASP published a thread on Twitter/X yesterday to highlight the release of a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report with data on union membership in 2023. The report showed that while the number of workers in a union increased last year, the proportion of workers in a union relative to the total number of jobs fell slightly. In 2023, the United States gained nearly 200,000 unionized jobs—a testament to the enduring strength and growing influence of the labor movement.

However, the United States’ outdated labor laws favor corporate greed over workers’ rights. Companies have used tactics such as mandatory anti-union meetings; employee isolation and coercion; incentivizing union opposition; and more to discourage union growth. Despite the surge in union support, these tactics – along with job growth in non-unionized sectors – have fueled the slight decline in labor union density in 2023.

Read the full thread below:

According to @BLS_gov, the total number of workers who were union members increased by 139,000 in 2023. Total union membership rose from 14.3 million in 2022 to 14.4 million in 2023. https://t.co/spMp6i2Sgm

— CLASP (@CLASP_DC) January 23, 2024

2023 witnessed a significant increase in union activity across the US. >500,000 workers participated in strikes in ’23, advocating for improved benefits, wages, & working conditions. This surge in activity is a testament to the resilience of labor movement https://t.co/iQMpzf7mYd

— CLASP (@CLASP_DC) January 23, 2024

The @UAW saw historic contract victories in 2023, raising wages for members 25% over 5 years. UAW also announced an unprecedented organizing effort at 13 non-union auto manufacturing operations, already leading to increasing wages at these plants. https://t.co/YqP6vfwglK

— CLASP (@CLASP_DC) January 23, 2024

The answer is clear: Unions improve wages and conditions of all workers, strengthen communities, and bolster our democracy.

— CLASP (@CLASP_DC) January 23, 2024

Companies have used tactics such as mandatory anti-union meetings, employee isolation & coercion, incentivizing union opposition, etc. to discourage union growth. Despite the surge in union support, these tactics have fueled the decline in labor union density in 2023.

— CLASP (@CLASP_DC) January 23, 2024

Despite these challenges, the labor movement remains strong—as evidenced by the successful UAW strike—and determined to fight for workers’ rights. 2023’s increase in union activity shows a commitment by unions and their members, along with allies from many sectors, to create a fair and just workplace for all.