Union members work in all types of jobs and industries. They are teachers, coal miners, construction workers, nurses, firefighters, musicians, engineers, electricians and more. In 2006, 15.4 million workers belonged to unions, making up 12 percent of the workforce.
UNION MEMBERS BY INDUSTRY, 2006
Union Members (in thousands)
Percentage of Union Membership (%)
Members as % of Wage & Salary Workers
Total Union Members
15,359
100
12.0
Goverment
7,378
47
36.2
Overall Private Sector
7,981
53
7.4
Information
372
2.5
12.0
Construction
1,097
6.7
13.0
Finance, Ins., Real Est.
168
1.2
1.9
Manufacturing
1,827
12.9
11.7
Mining
48
0.3
7.5
Retail Trade
756
5
5.0
Education and Health Services
1,483
9.1
8.3
Transportation and Utilities
1,227
8
23.2
Wholesale Trade
201
1.5
4.9
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Union Members in 2006," January 2007. Prepared by the AFL-CIO.
