Why does this matter to us as members of AftraNOW?  As members of AFTRA?  As members of SAG?  As members of any media union? The first thing to think about is how is non-union work growing in our industry and what are we doing about it?  It is why AFTRA, with the full support of AftraNOW members, has dedicated real resources to developing an enhanced organizing capacity within the union.  We know that we must sign up not just the next generation of work but the next generation of workers to prevent our wages and benefits from sliding off the chart..  The second thing to thing about is this: the weaker the "middle class", the fewer consumers, the less purchasing of what we do.  And, the less retailers and manufacturers advertise.  The less advertising, the less on-camera and voice work.  It's that simple.  We don't stand apart from a hollowed-out middle class.  These lines are a stark visual reminder that, as income disparity has risen - the "rising tide" floating all yachts - union density has dropped and middle class incomes, and buying power, along with it.  Henry Ford was right: no point making cars if there isn't anyone who can buy them.  The question shouldn't be "why are you in a union?"  The question should be "why AREN'T you in a union?" And if you're a union, what are you doing to make sure talent is IN the union and not outside working to undercut contracts? Open union or closed?  We say "open".  Most definitely.

There is a reason they are called "Right to Work for Less" states. We repeat: The question shouldn't be "why are you in a union?"  The question should be "why AREN'T you in a union?"

Union density as a proportion of total workforce  (The darker the state, the higher the proportion of union workers in that state.  The lighter the state, the smaller the proportion.)  It's pretty easy to see where the union jobs are (west / northwest, upper midwest, northeast) and where they are not (the south and plains states).  There are maps of "projected" union density (they're not pretty) that we will also try to post.  On this map, the densest state is NY at 29% of the workforce; the least dense state is South Carolina at 5.6%.  Can you say "Boeing"?

charts and maps from the AFL-CIO, Unionstats and the ever deceptive National Right To Work Legal Defense Foundation

See any relationship? This map courtesy of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, a long-time front for money that wants to eliminate unions.  These are the folks who can't say "union" without "bosses" behind it; use terms like "forced unionism".  Hold your nose and look at the relationship between so-called "right to work" states and the map above on union density.  Pretty clear what effect "right to work for less" laws have on union density, which is no accident. We have 32 AFTRA Locals, many in so-called "right to work" states.  It makes it very difficult for our members to bargain for better wages, conditions and benefits when non-union work is both protected and encouraged. Attention K-Mart Shoppers: This map is changing.  And not for the better.