The overall percentage of private sector unionization dipped slightly (by .2%) in 2022, but labor unions made strides in organizing new workers. In 2022, unions won more elections to represent private sector employees than in any year since 2005. They also won a record-high 76% of all elections held, buoyed by numerous victories in the high-profile and nationwide Starbucks campaign. The number of strikes in 2022 also increased over 50% from the previous year. In short, while unions continue to suffer losses in the rust belt and the manufacturing industry, they remain active and, once organizing is underway, very effective in winning elections to represent employees.
