African American men and women have among the highest unionization rates of U.S. workers (21 percent and 14 percent, respectively). In 1999, Latina women were almost as likely as white working women to belong to unions (10 percent and 11 percent, respectively), while Latino men were less likely to be unionized than their white male counterparts (13 percent and 16 percent, respectively). The unionization rate for both Asian American men and women was 12 percent. Union membership among white workers has declined since 1983 (the first year of data) and has decreased slightly among African American workers but has risen by 20 percent among Latinos.

Union membership can be particularly important for African American, Asian American and Latino workers who are subjected to continuing discrimination because collective bargaining emphasizes equal pay and fair treatment in the workplace.