Business & Finance
American union rolls grew by 411,000 in 2025, report finds
US labor groups recorded their largest membership gain since 2008, according to The Guardian.
The short version
- US union membership rose by 411,000 workers in 2025, lifting overall national density from 9.9% to 10.0%.[The Guardian]
- States with collective bargaining laws captured nearly 305,000 of the new members, outperforming right-to-work states.[The Guardian]
- A cited Gallup poll indicates that 71% of Americans approve of unions, with 47% desiring increased union influence.[The Guardian]
Key facts
- Union membership across the US grew by 411,000 in 2025, according to findings from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.[The Guardian]
- States protecting collective bargaining added nearly 305,000 union workers in 2025, compared to approximately 107,000 in right-to-work states.[The Guardian]
- Overall national union density edged up from 9.9% to 10.0% in 2025.[The Guardian]
- Frank Manzo IV attributed the influx of members to workers seeking protection from high living expenses.[The Guardian]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.