Organized labor is on the march. Unions are enjoying strong public support, with approval ratings at the highest level in decades. Union membership is steady at 10% in the U.S., and more than double that rate – and rising – in New York state, which trails only Hawaii nationally. New York unions have notched organizing victories, adding New York City Ferry workers, public defenders and “Sesame Street” writers to their ranks.
Read more John Samuelsen and the art of strategic petrol bomb-throwing
Labor leaders have also been flexing their muscles on the policy front. Public sector unions secured more generous benefits in Albany, perhaps most notably reforming the state’s Tier 6 pension benefits. State legislation banning surveillance pricing, protecting construction workers and requiring transparency around artificial intelligence use have advanced with labor support, while New York City lawmakers have introduced measures that would dismantle Amazon’s last-mile delivery network, shield retirees’ healthcare benefits and set a $30 hourly minimum wage.
Read more AOC rejoined DSA this month after 7-year absence
The Labor Power 100 highlights the union leaders and worker advocates on the front lines of these and countless other battles – from organizing campaigns and contract negotiations to political and policymaking pushes.
Read more This week’s biggest Winners & Losers