Union participation in Illinois is showing a contradictory trend, manifesting both a decline in overall membership and a rise in unionization efforts. Despite an uptick in successful petitions for unionization in Illinois, overall participation continues to wane, according to the "State of the Unions 2024" report, a combined effort by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) and the University of Illinois' Project for Middle-Class Renewal. The state witnessed an increase to 86 successful union petitions in 2023, a noteworthy rise compared to the previous eight years. However, Robert Bruno, a co-author of the report, suggests this may signal a shift in the labor market and worker attitudes, according to his interview with Capitol News Illinois.
The surge in union petitions aligns with a broader national favorability towards unions, as exemplified by a Gallup poll cited in the report which displays 67% of respondents viewing them favorably. However, the struggle to maintain and grow membership is apparent, with the percentage of Illinois workers in unions slipping below 13% for the first time in the decade surveyed, to stand at 12.8%. This marks the lowest point in union participation Illinois has seen in 34 years, with a drop of 27,000 union members in 2023, as indicated in a release by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and an article by Illinois Policy.
One significant factor contributing to this decline, especially within the public sector, can be traced back to the Supreme Court's 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision, which put an end to the collection of "fair share" fees from non-union members who still benefit from union negotiations. This ruling is pointed to by report co-author and economist Frank Manzo, as a critical repercussion negatively impacting union membership. The broader economic landscape is also a factor, with job growth occurring in sectors traditionally featuring low union density, such as professional services and the gig economy, while union-heavy sectors like manufacturing are trailing or diminishing.
Even amidst these challenges, Illinois stands out in the Midwest with its 12.8% unionization rate and higher average hourly earnings compared to neighboring right-to-work states, evidencing a more robust union presence. While the wages in Illinois are on average $36.82, the states like Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, and Wisconsin trail with earnings ranging from $28.82 to $31.84, as detailed by the State of the Unions 2024 report. Yet, the discrepancy between union claims of representation and actual membership, as exposed by federal reports, highlights a concerning trend for Illinois' labor organizations. Specifically, AFSCME Council 31 and the Illinois Federation of Teachers have seen significant losses in membership over recent years, suggesting a disconnect with the workforce they aim to represent.
The data unveiled paints a complex picture of labor dynamics in Illinois, juxtaposing growing union support efforts against a backdrop of diminishing membership. Illinois anchors itself as a state with constitutional protection for worker rights and no "right-to-work" laws, positioning it as a battleground state for the future of labor unions in an ever-evolving economic and legal landscape.
