High Unionization, High Productivity, says EPI

Those who argue that workers in unions are less productive than other workers are flat-out wrong according to studies in both the United States and Europe, where up to 90 percent of workers in some countries are covered by a union contract.

The Economic Policy Institute's weekly snapshot, titled "Strong unions, strong productivity," says it is a "myth that unions hurt productivity." In Europe, "Output per hour worked is higher in the Netherlands, France, and Belgium, where more than 80 percent of employees have union contracts," EPI said.

In the United States, EPI said "a positive association (of unions and high productivity) is established for the United States in general and for U.S. manufacturing."

"If Congress is concerned about protecting middle-class incomes, it should pass measures to facilitate union organizing and collective bargaining coverage, including the Employee Free Choice Act," EPI said. "There is no reason to fear that higher rates of unionization will impede efficiency or labor productivity." The full snapshot, with graphs, is available at www.epinet.org.