In a rapidly changing labor market, the role of unions extends far beyond negotiating wages and benefits. Recent research suggests that declining union membership may have a significant impact on public well-being and health outcomes.
Economists Samia Islam and Kelly Chen, who specialize in labor and health economics, have uncovered some noteworthy findings in their studies. Their work indicates a correlation between union strength and public satisfaction, as well as potential links to health crises.
Union Membership and Happiness
In a 2023 study, Islam and Chen discovered that higher union membership rates can lead to increased happiness among working-class individuals. Analyzing data from the General Social Survey, they noted that a 1% increase in unionized workers in counties along state borders with differing right-to-work laws resulted in a 15% rise in the likelihood of low-income residents feeling “very happy.”
Right-to-work laws allow employees to forgo paying union dues, weakening union influence and diminishing union membership. Interestingly, the study found that this increase in happiness did not apply to higher-income individuals.
Historical Context of Right-to-Work Laws
Originating in the 1940s, right-to-work laws gained momentum in the early 2000s. By the end of 2025, 26 states had enacted such laws. States like Oklahoma, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin adopted these laws between 2001 and 2015. Islam and Chen used an “event study” to analyze the effects of these laws over time, focusing on Michigan’s adoption and subsequent repeal of its right-to-work law in 2024.
Union Decline and Opioid Crisis
In another working paper, the researchers examined the connection between right-to-work laws and opioid overdoses. They employed the synthetic control method to evaluate how diminishing union power might contribute to rising opioid overdoses.
Data from sources like the Treatment Episode Data Set and the CDC’s Multiple Cause of Death database showed an increase in opioid overdoses six years after right-to-work laws were enacted in the studied states, particularly among working-age men in high-risk jobs.
This trend was not observed among women or with non-opioid drug overdoses, suggesting specific vulnerabilities related to union decline and job security.
Impact of Union Membership Decline
The percentage of unionized U.S. workers has halved over the last 40 years, falling from over 20% in 1983 to under 10% in 2024. Unions are known for advocating improved working conditions and can enhance living standards even for non-members.
As the opioid crisis has ravaged the U.S. for over 25 years, drug-related deaths surged from 17,500 in 2000 to 105,000 in 2023. Although deaths decreased to about 81,000 in 2024, they remain alarmingly high, with opioids being the primary cause.
Government efforts have primarily targeted reducing opioid supply, focusing on prescription and illegal opioids like fentanyl. Despite these measures, drug overdoses persist as a significant cause of death, indicating complex socio-economic factors at play.
Exploring Social and Economic Despair
Research suggests that despair may stem from social and economic conditions, not merely emotional or biological responses. Islam and Chen continue to investigate the broader public health implications of union membership, including potential long-term impacts on future generations.
