Figure C
Private-sector unionization has declined as a direct result of anti-union policies: Union coverage rates by sector, 1973–2016
| Private sector | Public sector | |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 25.8% | 30.3% |
| 1974 | 25.0% | 31.8% |
| 1975 | 23.1% | 32.1% |
| 1976 | 22.9% | 32.7% |
| 1977 | 23.3% | 40.1% |
| 1978 | 22.5% | 40.5% |
| 1979 | 23.2% | 44.2% |
| 1980 | 21.7% | 43.4% |
| 1981 | 20.4% | 41.6% |
| 1982 | 19.5% | 43.6% |
| 1983 | 18.5% | 45.5% |
| 1984 | 17.0% | 43.9% |
| 1985 | 15.9% | 43.1% |
| 1986 | 15.2% | 43.2% |
| 1987 | 14.4% | 42.5% |
| 1988 | 14.0% | 43.5% |
| 1989 | 13.5% | 43.5% |
| 1990 | 13.2% | 43.3% |
| 1991 | 12.9% | 43.3% |
| 1992 | 12.5% | 43.2% |
| 1993 | 12.1% | 43.8% |
| 1994 | 11.9% | 44.7% |
| 1995 | 11.3% | 43.5% |
| 1996 | 11.0% | 43.0% |
| 1997 | 10.6% | 42.3% |
| 1998 | 10.3% | 42.5% |
| 1999 | 10.2% | 42.1% |
| 2000 | 9.8% | 42.0% |
| 2001 | 9.7% | 41.7% |
| 2002 | 9.3% | 41.9% |
| 2003 | 9.0% | 41.5% |
| 2004 | 8.6% | 40.7% |
| 2005 | 8.5% | 40.5% |
| 2006 | 8.1% | 40.1% |
| 2007 | 8.2% | 39.8% |
| 2008 | 8.4% | 40.7% |
| 2009 | 8.0% | 41.1% |
| 2010 | 7.7% | 40.0% |
| 2011 | 7.6% | 40.7% |
| 2012 | 7.3% | 39.6% |
| 2013 | 7.5% | 38.7% |
| 2014 | 7.4% | 39.2% |
| 2015 | 7.4% | 39.0% |
| 2016 | 7.3% | 37.9% |
Note: Coverage rates are based on data for all workers age 16 and up.
Source: EPI analysis of data from the Union Membership and Coverage Database (unionstats.com), compiled by Barry Hirsch and David Macpherson (posted February 11, 2017)
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