A powerful force for change in the workforce, labor unions bring transparency to pay negotiations, help employees secure overtime wages, and grant them greater protections. In every state, unionized women out earn women in non-union jobs—an essential wage advantage that would increase women’s economic security following the pandemic-induced “she-cession.” This brief shares insights on the ways unions narrow gender wage gaps and improve economic security for all women.

It also discusses the union advantage and what that means in terms of increased wages to pay rent. It concludes with policy recommendations to promote women’s access to quality, high-paying union jobs to ensure an equitable recovery that centers all women.