Report: Kentucky sees union popularity increase. Here's what we know

In Kentucky, and nationwide, labor unions are gaining popularity.

New data from Gallup found that in 2024, 70% of Americans approve of labor unions.

Newly released data from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy , an independent research and policy organization that often advocates for liberal policies, indicates 2023 saw the highest number of union filings since 2010.

"Unions have been in decline in Kentucky and nationally for decades due to trade, labor and other policies and aggressive anti-union efforts by corporations," Jason Bailey, executive director for KY Policy, said. "But the uptick in union interest shows that perhaps workers have been pushed around too much for too long."

In 2017, Kentucky passed "right-to-work" legislation , which bans mandatory union membership or payment of union dues as a condition of employment. This legislation, prevalent in the South, is often touted by Democrats and labor officials as anti-worker and makes "for a less favorable environment for union organizing," according to the KY Policy report.

Despite this legislation and fueled by the labor movement that grew during the Covid-19 pandemic, KY Policy's analysis of National Labor Relations Board data found "there has been growth in union filings and elections that hearkens back to the pre-right-to-work era or perhaps beyond."

Bailey said the current economic period is also playing a role. He notes a "more supportive environment for unionization" largely due to the tight labor market, growth in the economy, standards regarding how federal funds are spent on workers and a National Labor Relations Board that has shown some favor to workers.

"Discontent over growing inequality and a broken economy for most workers has been bubbling for decades," Bailey said. "More workers are looking to better share in the tremendous gains so many companies are making and recognize the best way to ensure shared prosperity is by wielding the power that comes when they join together."

Across the state, 2023 brought prolific labor movements , from Teamsters with practice pickets and organizing new members at UPS to the UAW strike at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant.

In addition to visible public actions by unions, KY Policy reports 19 unions won representation elections last year, ushering in more wins than the previous high of a pre-right-to-work 2010.

“For two years in a row, Kentucky’s labor unions have seen strong membership growth," Dustin Reinstedler, president of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO said at a press conference Wednesday. "With inflation, corporate greed, housing costs, rising healthcare costs, and many other working-class issues, Kentucky workers have made it clear that the best way to fight income inequality is by joining a union.”

Throughout 2024, there have not been signs of the Kentucky labor movement subsiding.

Currently, Teamsters are trying to organize workers at Amazon in Northern Kentucky and a strike is ongoing at Monument Chemical in Brandenburg. Then there is the soon-to-come-online BlueOval SK Battery Park in Glendale that will start as non-union, but the UAW has already said they plan to organize the facility.

"When you boil things down you always find out what they are made of, and when you boil labor issues down, what it comes down to is greed," Reinstedler said. "We can see what CEO's make, what stock dividends are paid out, and how companies are doing, and we see working people aren't getting their share and Kentucky workers want better."

Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @oliviamevans_ .

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Report: Kentucky sees union popularity increase. Here's what we know