The Changing Face of Labor, 1983-2008

Publication Date: November 2009

Publisher: Center for Economic and Policy Research

Author(s): Kris Warner; John Schmitt

Research Area: Labor

Keywords: labor; workforce; unions; economics

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Over the last quarter century, the unionized workforce has changed dramatically, according to this new CEPR report. In 2008, union workers reflected trends in the workforce as a whole toward a greater share of women, Latinos, Asian Pacific Americans, older, more-educated workers, and a shift out of manufacturing toward services.

"The view that the typical union worker is a white male manufacturing worker may have been correct a quarter of a century ago, but it' s not an accurate description of those in today's labor movement," said John Schmitt, a CEPR Senior Economist and an author of the report.