In this article, we will look at the 5 states that have America’s strongest unions. We have also discussed the latest unionization events in another article. If you are interested in reading about that along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 20 States That Have America’s Strongest Unions.
5. Connecticut
Union Members Employed: 15.9%
Connecticut has defied the national trend of declining union membership, reaching a three-year high at 15.9% in 2023. This increase is notable in the public sector, where the rate climbed to 67.1%. The private sector also saw growth, with 7.1% belonging to a union. The data raises questions about the necessity of legislative interventions by the Labor and Public Employees Committee, especially as bills attempting to expand labour-related laws have failed. As unions gain strength, there are concerns about their influence on political campaigns and policy decisions in an election year.
4. New Jersey
Union Members Employed: 16.1%
In a historic development for the New Jersey State Labor Movement, the 2024/2025 Legislature witnessed a record nine union members, including State Senators Vin Gopal, Paul Moriarty, Troy Singleton, and Latham Tiver, as well as Assembly members Wayne DeAngelo, Christian Barranco, Kevin Egan, William Sampson, and Anthony Verrelli. Additionally, 39 union members across different government levels took office, pledging support for organized labor principles. The New Jersey State AFL-CIO credits the achievement to the dedication of affiliated labor unions and Central Labor Councils. The focus is on advancing an agenda prioritizing the needs of working families over the next two years.
3. Washington
Union Members Employed: 16.5%
In 2023, union membership in Washington state slightly declined to 16.5% of the workforce, as per federal data. Despite the decrease, Washington maintained one of the highest union membership rates in the US, trailing only Hawaii and New York.
In 2021, Washington state saw a rise in union membership among wage and salary workers, reaching 19.0%, up from 17.4% in 2020, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, this was still below the peak of 23.8% in 1993 and above the low point of 16.8% in 2014-2015. Washington consistently maintained union membership rates above the US average since 1989, when state data became available.
2. New York
Union Members Employed: 20.6%
New York remains a stronghold for labor unions, with a unionization rate of 20.7%, surpassed only by Hawaii in the US. In 2022, almost 200 workplaces in the state sought representation through the National Labor Relations Board. Despite a 57-year high in national approval of labor unions, New York’s union participation has seen a decline, dropping from 23.2% in 2012 to the current 20.6%. Noteworthy labor movements in the past year have been the establishment of the Amazon Labor Union at JFK8, where 2,654 votes led to its formation. Starbucks Workers United also experienced major growth, winning 31 elections in New York in 2022, fueled by the enthusiasm of young, progressive, and college-educated individuals.
1.Hawaii
Union Members Employed: 24.1%
In 2022, Hawaii was among the top 10 states with the strongest unions, as per data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and UnionStats.com by SmartAsset. Research suggests a high correlation between higher union presence and increased wages. Hence, six of the top 10 states have worker wages in the upper quintile nationally. Notably, Hawaii and New York stand out with union membership exceeding 20% of their workforces, surpassing the national average of 10%. In 2023, Hawaii was the state with America’s strongest unions.
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