Transport and Warehousing: The Unexpected Union Stronghold

Transport and Warehousing: The Unexpected Union Stronghold

In 1983, 20% of American adults were union members. By 2023, this number had dropped to a record low of 10%. Among private sector industries, transport and warehousing ranks second in union membership, following the top three government sectors.

Despite this overall decline, some industries still have relatively high rates of union membership. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2023, union membership rates vary significantly by industry.

Transport and Warehousing:

Transport and warehousing is one of the few sectors defying the national trend of declining union membership. The industry stands out with around 16% of its workforce unionized.

Image: American Industries with the highest union membership. Source: Voronoi by Visual Capitalist

The industry's strong union presence is highlighted by recent high-profile organizing efforts, such as the creation of the Amazon Labor Union.

However, other notable business closures, like Yellow Corp, illustrate the challenges faced by larger, union-backed trucking companies. This surge in union activity underscores the growing desire among transport and warehousing workers for improved working conditions, wages, and benefits.