R.I. is 6th highest in union workers

By Emily Greenhalgh
PBN Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON – Rhode Island has the 6th highest percentage of union workers in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Union members accounted for 17.4 percent of wage and salary workers in Rhode Island in 2011, rising from 16.4 percent in 2010.

Nationally, union member accounted for an average 11.8 percent of wage and salary workers in 2011.

New York and Alaska had the highest percentage of union workers at 24.1 percent and 22.1 percent, respectively. Hawaii, Washington and Michigan also led Rhode Island with union members making up 21.5 percent, 19 percent and 17.5 percent, respectively, of wage and salary workers in 2011.

Union members accounted for 14.6 percent of wage and salary workers in Massachusetts and 16.8 percent in Connecticut compared with 14.5 and 16.7 percent, respectively, in 2010.