The United Auto Workers report that their numbers are rising by the thousands, with 15,000 new members added in 2017 and 75,000 since 2009.
These statistics were reported in the organization’s Labor Organizational Annual Report, now filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. The 2017 increase puts its membership rolls at 430,871 and marks nine years of continuous membership growth. This comes in spite of establishment of Right to Work policies in a number of states in recent years.
“Our bargained contracts reflect our commitment to grow our workforce and as a result even as auto assembly and other industries may become flatter in growth during recent years, contractual hiring goals continue to be met per terms of our agreements,” Dennis Williams, UAW president, said. “Over 50 percent of all UAW organizing campaigns were successful over the past four years. Yes, there were some high-profile challenges, but overall, we have succeeded more than we have failed in organizing campaigns and that is also reflected in our steady growth.”
Williams described the current state of the UAW as one of strength. Organized drives in gaming, education, heavy truck and automotive suppliers, and growth in auto assembly all contributed to the membership rise. It’s a notable turnaround from the auto industry recession of 2007-2009. For that matter, this year’s figures mark the high water mark for new member growth since 2010.