Alabama's union membership rate leads the region
http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20120206/APN/1202061032
y ROY L. WILLIAMS
The Birmingham News
Published: Monday, February 6, 2012 at 9:10 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, February 6, 2012 at 9:10 a.m.
Alabama's union membership rate fell again last year but remains far above that of other states in the Southeast, raising old fears that high unionization levels could be a disadvantage in business recruitment contests.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show that 10 percent of Alabama workers belonged to unions in 2011, down from 10.1 percent in the previous year. Union membership in Alabama has remained fairly consistent over the past decade and has long been the highest in the region.
Alabama's rate is lower than the U.S. average of 11.8 percent in 2011.
Among neighboring states, Florida had the second highest union membership rate at 6.3 percent in 2011. Georgia's was lowest, at 3.9 percent, the BLS data shows.
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