High-union-density states are more likely to have passed paid leave laws: Number of high-, medium-, and low-union-density states with paid leave laws
| Paid sick leave | Paid family leave | No paid sick or family leave | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 2 | 1 | 15 |
| Medium | 4 | 4 | 11 |
| High | 12 | 9 | 5 |
Notes: Union density is defined as the share of workers in the state who are represented by a union, including union members and other workers who are covered by a union contract, based on the variable “union” from EPI extracts of CPS-ORG microdata.
Notes: Union density is defined as the share of workers in the state who are represented by a union, including union members and other workers who are covered by a union contract, based on the variable “union” from EPI extracts of CPS-ORG microdata. Low-union-density states are the 17 states with the lowest average union densities from 2022-2024 (with union densities ranging from 3% to 8%). Medium-union-density states are the 17 states (including D.C.) in the middle of the union-density rankings (with union densities ranging from 8.2% to 13.1%). High-union-density states are the 17 states with the highest average union densities from 2022–2024 (greater than 13.4%). The state of Missouri passed paid sick leave through a ballot measure in November 2024. In July 2025, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed a bill repealing the paid sick leave law.
Sources: EPI analysis of 2022–2024 Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Group (CPS-ORG) microdata for all workers ages 16 and older; Bipartisan Policy Center, State Paid Family Leave Laws Across the U.S., January 16, 2024; A Better Balance, Overview of Paid Sick Time Laws in the United States, updated March 15, 2024.