Why Organize?

Nearly a quarter of all American workers that formed unions in 2008 joined SEIU. Our members know that by working together, we can improve both the quality of services we provide and the communities in which we live.

Better wages -The median weekly earnings of union members are 28% more than non-union workers. For workers employed in the public sector, the difference in salary amounts to roughly $150 more a week--approximately $600 more a month--for union vs. non-union.

Health Benefits - Union workers are 28.2% more likely to be covered by employer-provided health insurance. 46 percent of unionized workers receive full pay while on sick leave, versus only 29 percent of non-union workers.

Pensions - Union workers are 53.9% more likely to have employer-provided pensions

Time-off -Union workers get 28% more days of paid vacation on average than non-union workers


Source: SEIU.org, Center for American Progress, The Bureau of Labor Statistics, UC Berkeley Labor Center, Labor Project for Working Families, the Center for Economic and Policy Research and the Employee Benefits Research Institute.