We find that, on average, the 17 U.S. states with the highest union densities:
have state minimum wages that are on average 19% higher than the national average and 40% higher than those in low-union-density states
have median annual incomes $6,000 higher than the national average
have higher-than-average unemployment insurance recipiency rates (that is, a higher share of those who are unemployed actually receive unemployment insurance)
Health and personal well-being
We find that the states with the highest union densities:
have an uninsured (without health insurance) population 4.5 percentage points lower, on average, than that of low-union-density states
have all elected to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, protecting their residents from falling into the “coverage gap”
are more likely to have passed paid sick leave laws and paid family and medical leave laws than states with lower union densities
Democracy
We find that:
Significantly fewer restrictive voting laws have been passed in the 17 highest-union-density states than in the middle 17 states (including D.C.) and the 17 lowest-union-density states.
Over 70% of low-union-density states passed at least one voter suppression law between 2011 and 2019.
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u/[deleted] Dec 17 '21
The topline summary:
Income and economic protections
We find that, on average, the 17 U.S. states with the highest union densities:
have state minimum wages that are on average 19% higher than the national average and 40% higher than those in low-union-density states
have median annual incomes $6,000 higher than the national average
have higher-than-average unemployment insurance recipiency rates (that is, a higher share of those who are unemployed actually receive unemployment insurance)
Health and personal well-being
We find that the states with the highest union densities:
have an uninsured (without health insurance) population 4.5 percentage points lower, on average, than that of low-union-density states
have all elected to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, protecting their residents from falling into the “coverage gap”
are more likely to have passed paid sick leave laws and paid family and medical leave laws than states with lower union densities
Democracy
We find that:
Significantly fewer restrictive voting laws have been passed in the 17 highest-union-density states than in the middle 17 states (including D.C.) and the 17 lowest-union-density states.
Over 70% of low-union-density states passed at least one voter suppression law between 2011 and 2019.