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Teacher Union Decline by State
posted by: Alix | February 09, 2012, 07:10 PM   

Since the labor battles of 2011 and the growing push for education reform nationwide, pundits and education experts from across the political spectrum have predicted massive membership and financial losses for teacher labor unions in the coming years. While there have been media reports about union lay-offs and budget shortfalls, new data for the Bureau of Labor Statistics sheds light on total membership losses by percentage in some very unlikely states.

According to the data requirements compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership each year is reported by total membership per state. While the data doesn't distinguish type of employee, the report is considered the most accurate representation of union membership totals in 2011.

Rather than examine unionization rates, or market share of educators, reflecting on total membership losses both reflect lost teachers and lost income. While some of the states losing members in the analysis are predictable, others are coming from states where teachers are already forced to pay dues as a condition of employment–an indication of severe dissatisfaction with union representation based on the difficult agency fee payer process.
  1. South Carolina 26.3%
  2. Idaho 26.2%
  3. Nebraska 13.3%
  4. North Dakota 13.0%
  5. New Mexico 10.9%
  6. Utah 10.7%
  7. North Carolina 10.3%
  8. South Dakota 10.0%
  9. Arizona 7.5%
  10. West Virginia 7.0%
  11. Washington 6.3%
  12. Wisconsin 4.5%
  13. Minnesota 3.6%
  14. New Jersey 3.5%
  15. Alabama and New York 2.7%
  16. California 2.1%
  17. Texas 2.0%
  18. Iowa 1.9%
  19. Ohio 1.2%
Keep in mind these totals reflect just the early downturn in 2011. Undoubtedly, these numbers will grow as various labor reforms are instituted in individual states. The figures demonstrate very real downturns in traditional union strong-hold states, with many of the right-to-work state unions verging on virtual collapse without national intervention.

Interestingly, some of the states with the largest union downturns reflect states with a growing non-union presence, particularly in Idaho and Utah.

What are your thoughts about the states in decline?

Comment below.


Comments (1)Add Comment
teacher
written by marie, wake county, April 01, 2013

1. the dues are high considering not everybody avails of benefits all the time.
2. you do not help the individual who are not member when they need help . people will generally reach and become members when they feel the need and then with good experience will continue.
3.your rep at school level do not let everybody join
4. You have a time line to join,sometimes people need a wake up call,but when tht happens you tell me them you are not open to admission.
5. After the problem is over people have generally got used to of an alternate way o solve their problems why would they come to you then

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