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.