Women make up roughly half of U.S. labor union membership, and though representation in top level union leadership positions has lagged, even in female-dominated industries and particularly for women of color, Black and Latina women are starting to gain ground, landing top positions at some of the biggest unions in the U.S., according to the Associated Press. That has translated into wins at the bargaining table that focus more attention on family-friendly benefits like parental leave and health care coverage, as well as protections against sexual harassment.
Studies show that about two-thirds of working people who are covered by a union contract are women and/or people of color. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows that Black and Latina women experience a particularly wide gender pay gap. They also face intersectional headwinds of both racism and sexism in their careers.
Black and Latina women are driving labor union growth in the U.S. amid a decades-long decline in membership. In 2023, Black women’s union membership rate notched a slight bump from 10.3% to 10.5%, while Latinas went up from 8.5% to 8.8%. That’s more than white men and women, as well as Asian women, whose membership experienced a decrease during the same time period.
Men still have a higher union membership rate than women — 10.5% versus 9.5% respectively — according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
