Wisconsin’s annual union petitions have more than doubled in recent years, WisBusiness reports, signaling an uptick in unionization interest even as the share of statewide workers in unions has fallen significantly.
In fiscal year (FY) 2024, from Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024, Wisconsinites filed a total of 47 petitions with the National Labor Relations Board. That number was 25 for FY 2023 and 28 for FY 2022. The FY 2024 number was also a 114% increase over fiscal year 2021.
The news brings Wisconsin in line with trends across the Midwest. Midwest states saw an increase in union petitions of 138% over the same period — the highest percentage increase of any U.S. region. Experts cite the tight labor market since the COVID-19 pandemic among factors fueling the trend.
