Unions enable working people to come together and, through a contract, bargain for health coverage and pensions, paid sick leave and other benefits. Union workers are more likely than their nonunion counterparts to be covered by health insurance, and to receive pension benefits and paid sick leave, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. In March 2010, 84 percent of union workers were covered by health insurance through their jobs, compared with only 55 percent of nonunion workers.

As the chart illustrates, 87 percent of workers in unions participate in pension plans versus 49 percent of nonunion workers. Seventy-eight percent of union workers have guaranteed pensions, compared with 19 percent of nonunion workers. Roughly 83 percent of workers in unions have paid sick leave compared with 64 percent of nonunion workers.