Picture this: You spend your time working just as hard as your peers but only take home a fraction of the pay. This is the reality for many women and workers of color. For instance, the earnings of Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) women highlight a troubling disparity. Every August 28 marks
NHPI Equal Pay Day, spotlighting that NHPI women earn just 65 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men working full-time. The gap widens further when considering all NHPI women, who bring home an average of 61 cents on the dollar. These figures aren’t just numbers—they represent lifetimes of hard work undervalued and potentially unrealized.
This stark inequality calls for a powerful solution. Enter unions. These organizations have been the backbone of the fight for fair wages and equitable treatment for generations. By negotiating for fair standards for all workers, unions are a critical tool to closing wage gaps and pay inequality. Longtime unionist Sara Steffens, who has built her life and career around employee activism, understands that unions give workers a collective voice to demand what’s rightfully theirs,
ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Unions don't just close pay gaps; they uplift entire communities, fostering fairness and equality for all.
Understanding Unions
Unions are groups of workers who come together to advocate for fair wages, good benefits, and safe working conditions. The Treasury Department has released its most detailed
report yet on the vital role unions play in the American economy. Created by the Office of Economic Policy, this report is part of over 70 initiatives by the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, led by Vice President Harris. The findings clearly reveal that
unions are essential
in tackling the significant issues that the middle class faces, like stagnant wages, high housing costs, and limited upward mobility. Sara Steffens emphasizes that by fighting for better conditions and pay, unions not only support individual workers but also help build a stronger, more resilient economy for everyone.
Economic Benefits of Union Membership
Sara Steffens recognizes that states with higher union densities demonstrate
several economic advantages that benefit workers and their families:
- Higher Minimum Wages: On average, states with high union density tend to have minimum wages that are almost 20% higher than the national average and 40% higher than those in low-union-density states. Sara Steffens understands that when more workers in an area can join a union, all workers in that region are more likely to earn a living wage, reducing economic disparities.
- Increased Median Incomes: High-union-density states boast median annual incomes of around $6,000 higher than the national average, reflecting the positive impact of unions on wage growth and overall economic prosperity.
- Improved Unemployment Insurance: Higher union densities correlate with better unemployment insurance recipiency rates. Sara Steffens explains that this means a larger share of unemployed individuals actually receive the benefits they need during times of job loss.
Enhancing Health and Personal Well-Being
Union membership significantly enhances the health and personal well-being of workers. Sara Steffens understands that states with higher union densities show marked improvements in several key areas:
- Lower Uninsured Rates: These states have an uninsured population that is 4.5 percentage points lower, on average, than states with lower union densities, translating to better access to health care for union members and their families.
- Medicaid Expansion: All high-union-density states have elected to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, providing a safety net that prevents residents from falling into the coverage gap.
- Paid Leave Laws: High-union-density states are more likely to have passed paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave laws, ensuring that workers do not have to choose between their health and their paycheck.
Sara Steffens shows us that union membership offers benefits far beyond individual gains. States with higher union density tend to see real economic and health improvements, such as higher minimum wages, increased median incomes, better unemployment insurance, and improved healthcare access.
Unions are a powerful force for achieving a more just and equitable world where everyone has the chance to succeed. Sara Steffens truly believes that it’s crucial to support and strengthen unions—now more than ever. By doing so, we can tackle the persistent inequalities that weaken our society and economy and ensure that every worker is valued and respected.
To build a better future for all, we must advocate for unions and empower workers. The fight for fair wages, equitable treatment, and a strong economy depends on it.
