Unions Are Good for State Economies

More Unionized Workers Would Be Even Better

**See "Unions Are Good for the American Economy" for the most up-to-date information.

Find out how unions help workers in five key states:

California | Louisiana | Maine | Pennsylvania | Virginia

Unions paved the way to the middle class for millions of workers and pioneered benefits such as paid health care and pensions along the way. Even today, union workers earn significantly more on average than their non-union counterparts and union employers are more likely to provide benefits. And non-union workers—particularly in highly unionized industries—receive financial benefits from employers who increase wages to match what unions would win in order to avoid unionization.

Unfortunately, as unionization rates decline, workers are less likely to receive good wages and be rewarded for their increases in productivity. The Employee Free Choice Act, which is likely to be one of the most important issues debated when the 111th Congress starts in January, holds the promise of boosting unionization rates and improving the economic standing and workplace conditions for millions of American workers.

Find out how unions help workers in five key states:

California | Louisiana | Maine | Pennsylvania | Virginia