EMPLOYMENT

U.S. Union Membership, 1930-97

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Labor

Year		Labor force 1  (thousands)	Union members 2  (thousands)	Percentage of labor force
1930	29,424		3,401	11.6
1935	27,053		3,584	13.2
1940	32,376		8,717	26.9
1945	40,394		14,322	35.5
1950	45,222		14,267	31.5
1955	50,675		16,802	33.2
1960	54,234		17,049	31.4
1965	60,815		17,299	28.4
1970	70,920		19,381	27.3
1975	76,945		19,611	25.5
1980	90,564		19,843	21.9
1985	94,521		16,996	18.0
1986	96,903		16,975	17.5
1987	99,303		16,913	17.0
1988	101,407		17,002	16.8
1989	103,480		16,960	16.4
1990	103,905		16,740	16.1
1991	102,786		16,568	16.1
1992	103,688		16,390	15.8
1993	105,067		16,598	15.8
1994	107,989		16,748	15.5
1995	110,038		16,360	14.9
1996	111,960		16,269	14.5
1997	114,533		16,110	14.1

(1) Does not include agricultural employment; from 1985, does not include self-employed or unemployed persons.
(2) From 1930 to 1980, includes dues-paying members of traditional trade unions, regardless of employment status; from 1985, includes members of employee associations that engage in collective bargaining with employers.