Union numbers are up in Pa., Del.

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20080126_Union_numbers_are_up_in_Pa___Del_.html

The two states were part of the first national increase in labor-union membership since 1979.

By Jane M. Von Bergen

Inquirer Staff Writer
Reversing a decades-long downward trend, the percentage of the American workforce in unions edged up last year, the U.S. Labor Department reported.

The change was minuscule - a tenth of 1 percentage point, from 12.0 to 12.1 - barely statistically significant. But for the labor movement, which is starved for any good news, even the tiniest upward blip is cause for encouragement.


SARAH J. GLOVER / Inquirer Staff Photographer
Seth Goldstein , a union organizer: "The only way the middle class can push its way up . . . is if they can bargain effectively."


Locally, Pennsylvania and Delaware saw gains in union membership and density.

New Jersey's membership continued to slip despite big union wins among dealers in Atlantic City's casinos and among professional and administrative staff at Rutgers University.

In Pennsylvania, "there's been a tremendous movement in health care, child care and home care," said William George, who heads the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.

Pennsylvania's union membership grew to 830,000, 15.1 percent of the workforce, from 745,000 or 13.6 percent in 2006.

That puts Pennsylvania well ahead of the national numbers in union density.

FULL story at link.

[rurallib]

1. Good news tonite, Steve!

[Omaha Steve]

2. Yes there is

I'm done for the night. Enjoy the news.

OS