Houston's union membership third lowest in Texas

Greater Houston's union membership rate ranked 50th among large U.S. metros in 2023.

By the numbers: Of Greater Houston's 3.2 million employed residents, nearly 123,000 (3.8%) were union members in 2023, according to Construction Coverage , an analysis firm focusing on construction and real estate.

• An additional 22,200 Houston-area workers had jobs with benefits from their union's collective bargaining but did not join or pay dues, the firm found.

Zoom out: Of Texas' largest metros, Houston has the third-lowest union membership rate.

• San Antonio ranked 52nd overall with a 3.1% union membership rate.
• Dallas ranked 49th with 3.8%, and Austin ranked 38th with 5.3%.

Between the lines: Texas labor laws undermine collective bargaining power and dissuade union membership while also containing few protections for workers .

• Supporters of these "right to work" policies, including Gov. Greg Abbott , have long said they help grow the economy .

The intrigue: Texas ranks 48th on the Best States to Work Index by Oxfam America, a nonprofit focused on ending poverty.

Yes, but: Organized labor in Houston has recently gained momentum:

• In February, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 455 — which represents 13,000 Houston-area Kroger workers — successfully bargained for a contract that increases wages, lowers health insurance premiums, and opens up more workers to employee benefits.
• Staff at the city's nonprofit news startup organized the Houston Landing NewsGuild, which was voluntarily recognized by Landing leadership.
• Houston firefighters won big in a settlement with the city years after IAFF Local 341 organized a ballot measure enshrining pay parity with police.
• Meanwhile, HOPE AFSCME Local 123, representing nearly 11,000 City of Houston municipal workers, started negotiations with Mayor John Whitmire in April aiming for the highest wage increase in the union's 19-year history.

What we're watching: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is currently leading the fight against a new U.S. Department of Labor overtime policy that would raise wages for state workers.

• A federal judge in June temporarily blocked the policy from taking effect in Texas as the case plays out.

Labor union disapproval hits 57-year low