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Let’s start by defining our terms. Labor unions are organizations where workers unite to negotiate for better pay, safer conditions, and fair treatment. When unions succeed, they don’t just help employees—they fuel the economy. Economic growth isn’t just about corporate profits; it’s about productivity, rising wages, and innovation. Today, I’ll show how unions deliver on all three.
First, unions boost wages, and higher wages mean more spending. According to a 2023 report by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, union workers earn 10 to 15 percent more than their non-union counterparts, with even larger gains for long-tenured employees. This wage premium isn’t just a number—it’s economic fuel. When workers earn more, they spend more on groceries, cars, and homes. Research from the WorkRise Network in 2023 confirms that this increased demand pushes businesses to grow, hire, and invest. Take the UAW’s 2023 strike, which secured protections for 150,000 jobs in the EV transition—a modern example of how unions directly fuel growth by ensuring workers can participate in emerging industries. When workers thrive, the economy thrives.
Second, unions balance power. Without them, corporations can cut corners—slashing wages or ignoring safety to cut costs. But unions give workers a voice. Fair pay and protections reduce turnover, creating a stable, motivated workforce. A 2023 study by the WorkRise Network found that unionized workplaces experience lower turnover rates, saving businesses costs while ensuring workers are paid fairly for their contributions. This isn’t just true for large corporations. In Portland, unionized bakeries saw retention rates double, proving that small businesses also benefit from the stability unions provide. A factory where employees aren’t overworked or underpaid is one that runs smoothly, avoiding costly disruptions. Unions don’t just protect workers; they protect the economy from the instability of exploitation.
Finally, unions foster innovation. Better pay and job security let workers focus on ideas, not just survival. Take 3M, for example: its union-backed R&D programs famously led to breakthroughs like Post-it Notes. According to the Economic Policy Institute, unions contribute to due process and provide a democratic voice, enabling workers to advocate for improvements without fear of retaliation. A factory worker who suggests efficiency improvements because he knows his job is safe drives productivity. Unions create conditions where creativity flourishes, fueling the technological advances that grow economies.
Critics might say unions are costly, but the data shows the opposite. A 2021 study by the International Monetary Fund found no link between union wages and inflation in advanced economies, debunking the myth of a "wage-price spiral." The short-term "cost" of fair wages is dwarfed by long-term gains in productivity and demand. Unions aren’t perfect, but their net effect is clear: they build economies from the ground up. By putting power in workers’ hands, they create a rising tide that lifts all boats.
In closing, unions are more than a safeguard—they’re an engine. They turn fair treatment into economic fuel, stability into growth, and worker potential into progress. The evidence is undeniable: when unions are strong, economies are stronger. Will you stand for policies that empower workers and growth? Tell Congress to pass the PRO Act—it’s the fastest way to protect union rights and ensure our economy works for everyone. Thank you.