The Treasury Department released a report on Monday extolling the virtues of unionization ahead of Labor Day.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced what the administration is dubbing a “first-of-its-kind report” highlighting some of the positive economic effects of labor unions. The report was commissioned by the White House as part of President Joe Biden’s push toward more unionization.
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A key finding of the report, according to Harris and Yellen, was that unions raise the wages of their members by 10% to 15% and improve benefits for workers compared to nonunionized workplaces. The Treasury Department released the report exactly one week before Labor Day.
“For generations, union workers have fought for and won higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplace conditions for millions of American workers,” Harris said on a call with reporters. “Union organizing and collective bargaining has made it possible for so many working families to buy a home, build a future, and retire with dignity.”
Yellen pointed out that the Treasury Department report concluded that union organizing benefits not only members of unions but also employees of nonunionized workplaces. The report found that increasingly competitive wages forged by unions mean workers at nonunionized firms see wages tick up as well.
“Heightened workplace safety norms can pull up whole industries. Benefits also spill over to workers’ families and communities,” Yellen said. “Importantly, our research also finds that unions fuel equality. Today’s unions benefit all demographic groups.”
The report is in line with Biden’s effort to strengthen unions, and he has dubbed himself the most pro-union president in history. The report also coincides with a recent flurry of union activity.
Last week, the United Auto Workers union overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike, setting the stage for more intense contract negotiations in the coming weeks. The UAW voted by a 97% margin to give the green light to a strike, which could come as soon as the contracts expire on Sept. 14.
The union, which represents some 150,000 workers at General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, the company that took over Chrysler’s operations, is seeking a 46% pay boost for hourly workers over the life of the four-year contract being negotiated. Union leadership also wants a cost-of-living allowance tied to inflation.
UPS workers also recently got a boost from their union. After a period of tense negotiations, and with the threat of a strike looming, the Teamsters union and UPS reached an agreement on a contract package that boosted wages in addition to other changes.
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Biden praised the deal after it was reached in July and emphasized the power of collective bargaining.
“I’ve always said that collective bargaining works by providing workers a seat at the table and the opportunity to improve their lives while contributing fully to their employer’s success," he said. “This agreement is a testament to the power of employers and employees coming together to work out their differences at the bargaining table in a manner that helps businesses succeed while helping workers secure pay and benefits they can raise a family on and retire with dignity and respect.”