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What unionizations at Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks may tell us about the economy : The Indicator from Planet Money Baristas and warehouse workers unite! After decades of decline, we're hearing a lot about new unions starting around the country. But union membership actually declined last year. We look at what's really happening.

The Indicator from Planet Money

What's really going on with unions

What's really going on with unions

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A person holds "Vote Union Yes!" signs during a protest in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, Stop Asian Hate and the unionization of Amazon.com, Inc. fulfillment center workers at Kelly Ingram Park on March 27, 2021 in Birmingham, Alabama.
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PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
A person holds "Vote Union Yes!" signs during a protest in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, Stop Asian Hate and the unionization of Amazon.com, Inc. fulfillment center workers at Kelly Ingram Park on March 27, 2021 in Birmingham, Alabama.
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

With Apple, Amazon, and even Starbucks employees organizing, it feels like unions are entering a new era of momentum. But when we look at the numbers, are unions truly bouncing back from decades of decline?

Today on the show, learn about the interweaving forces that are pushing and pulling union trends.

Further reading:

Bureau of Labor Statistics – Union Members 2021

Gallup opinion polling on unions

David Lee and Alexandre Mas – Long-run Impacts of Unions on Firms: New Evidence from Financial Markets, 1961–1999.

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