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Beyond the numbers game
by Peter Hall-Jones
  
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logoWe've said it before and we'll say it again... the trade union movement is no longer in decline! Earlier we reported that from 1997 to 2003 it grew in more countries than not*. Since discovering this we have been collecting further data (see below) and measuring the trend and extent of change. Thanks to ongoing help from our readers, we can now update our report of 2007.

Below you will find post-2000 information relating to 444 national federations.  Of these, we have found comparative data for 228 (51%). This includes almost all of the large ones, and so the data set represents by far the majority of the world's unionised workforce. Of these, 49% have grown, 35% have declined, and 17% report no significant change.
The graph below presents this information in more detail.
  

Change in national union federation membership
numbers between 2000-2007**
federations

The data from which this graph was derived is set out in a table below . You can also download a spreadsheet containing hyperlinks to the sources used here. A similar graph showing trends in union membership by country is available here.

It shows the power of the media massage that this information should be so hard to believe. The global union movement is in a much stronger position than many are prepared to accept. When looked at internationally (as one must, in a global labour market) unions have played the numbers game and won. Of course the struggle to build and maintain membership must continue, however it would appear that the time has come for a shift away from "business unionism". People do not join unions to help protect unionism as an industry. Beyond numbers lies the task of rebuilding influence.
 
  

  Country National federation name
Most recent membership
Year
First post-2000 data
Year
% change
Albania BSPSH - the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania
85,000
2007
83,847
2006
1.38%
Albania KSSH - the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania
105,000
2006
 
Insufficient data
Algeria UGTA  - the General Union of Algerian Workers
1,532,968
2006
1,350,000
2005
13.55%
Angola CGSILA - the General Centre of Independent and Free Unions
51,000
2006
51,000
2005
0.00%
Angola FENSTACH - the National Federation of Unions of Food Industry, Commerce and Hotels
25,000
2005
Insufficient data
Angola UNTA - the National Union of Angolan Workers
159,012
2006
400,000
2000
-60.25%
Antigua and Barbuda ABWU - the Antigua Workers' Union
3,000
2006
Insufficient data
Argentina CGT - General Confederation of Labor
4,401,023
2006
Insufficient data
Argentina CTA - the Argentine Workers' Center
1,104,712
2008
1,127,000
2006
-2.02%
Australia ACTU - the Australian Council of Trade Unions
2,000,000
2007
1,800,000
2003
11.11%
Austria OGB - the Austrian Trade Union Federation
1,061,912
2006
1,407,000
2002
-32.50%
Azerbaijan AHIK - the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation
735,000
2006
Insufficient data
Bahrain GFBTU - the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions
25,000
2007
10,000
2006
250.00%
Bangladesh BFTUC - the Bangladesh Free Trade Union Congress
85,000
2006
97,540
2005
-14.75%
Bangladesh BJSD - Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal
180,000
2006
247,454
2005
-37.47%
Bangladesh BLF - the Bangladesh Labour Federation
102,000
2006
100,844
2005
1.15%
Bangladesh BMSF - Bangladesh Mukta Sramik Federation
40,000
2006
132,301
2005
-69.77%
Bangladesh BSSF - Bangladesh Sangjukta Sramik Federation
101,500
2006
119,996
2005
-18.22%
Bangladesh BTUF - the Bangladesh Trade Union Federation
1,648
2005
Insufficient data
Bangladesh BTUS - Bangladesh Trade Union Sangha
19,303
2005
Insufficient data
Bangladesh JSFB - Jatiyo Sramik Federation Bangladesh
15,881
2005
Insufficient data
Bangladesh JSJ - Jatiyo Sramik Jote
2,260
2005
Insufficient data
Bangladesh JSL - the Jatiyo Sramik League
101,500
2006
227,800
2005
-55.44%
Bangladesh NTUF - the National Trade Union Federation
1,798
2005
Insufficient data
Bangladesh NWF - the National Workers' Federation
10,467
2005
Insufficient data
Bangladesh SSF - Samajtantrik Sramik Front
2,285
2005
Insufficient data
Bangladesh TUK - the Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra
50,180
2005
Insufficient data
Belarus BKDP - the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions
9,000
2006
15,000
2001
-66.67%
Belarus FPB - the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus
4,032,156
2007
4,000,000
2003
0.80%
Belgium CGSLB - the General Confederation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium
230,000
2007
223,000
2000
3.14%
Belgium CSC-ACV - the General Union of Belgian Liberal Trade Unions
1,736,000
2007
1,637,000
2000
6.05%
Benin CGTB - the General Confederation of the Workers
51,525
2006
8,650
2005
595.66%
Benin COSI - the Centre for Independent Union Organisations of Benin
37,860
2006
7,624
2005
496.59%
Benin CSA - the Autonomous Trade Unions Centre
53,000
2006
51,000
2000
3.92%
Benin UNSTB - the National Union of the Unions of the Workers of Benin
36,000
2006
42,000
2005
-16.67%
Bermuda BTUC - the Bermuda Trade Union Congress
5,000
2007
4,995
2006
0.10%
Bolivia COB - the Bolivian Workers' Center
2,000,000
2007
Insufficient data
Bosnia and Herzegovina KSBIH - the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bosnia and Herzegovina
428,163
2006
Insufficient data
Bosnia and Herzegovina SSRS - the Confederation of Trade Unions of the Republika Srpska
190,000
2005
Insufficient data
Botswana BFTU - the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions
18,000
2005
100,000
2003
-82.00%
Brazil CAT - Central Autonoma de Trabalhadores
700,000
2006
Insufficient data
Brazil CGT - the General Confederation of Workers
600,000
2006
2,200,000
2000
-72.73%
Brazil CNPL - Confederacao Nacional das Profisoes Liberais
260,000
2006
Insufficient data
Brazil CUT - the Unique Workers' Center of Brazil
7,690,598
2007
4,570,000
2000
68.28%
Brazil FS - Força Sindical
2,100,000
2006
2,100,000
2000
0.00%
Brazil SDS - the Social Democratic Union
50,200
2006
Insufficient data
Bulgaria ADS - the Association of Democratic Trade Unions
4,000
2003
Insufficient data
Bulgaria KNSB - the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria
350,000
2007
390,000
2003
-11.43%
Bulgaria PODKREPA - the Confederation of Labour
150,000
2007
109,000
2003
37.61%
Bulgaria PTU - the Promyana  Trade Union
50,000
2007
5,000
2003
1000.00%
Burkina Faso CNTB - the National Confederation of Workers
10,500
2006
8,000
2005
31.25%
Burkina Faso CSB - the Confederation Syndicale Burkina Faso
16,977
2005
Insufficient data
Burkina Faso ONSL - the National Organisations of Free Trade Unions
42,500
2006
42,500
2005
0.00%
Burkina Faso UGTB - Union Generale des Travailleurs du Burkina Faso
6,000
2005
Insufficient data
Burkina Faso USTB - Burkina Faso Workers' Union
8,700
2006
6,000
2005
45.00%
Burundi COSYBU - the Confederation of Burundi Unions
12,000
2006
12,079
2005
-0.66%
Burundi CSB - Confederation Syndicale du Burundi
5,500
2006
5,500
2005
0.00%
Cambodia FTUWKC - the Free Trade Union of Workers
60,000
2007
Insufficient data
Cameroon CSTC - Confederation Syndicale des Travailleurs du Cameroun
200,000
2006
385,000
2001
-92.50%
Cameroon USLC - the Union of Free Trade Unions of Cameroon
50,000
2006
12,000
2005
416.67%
Canada CLAC - the Christian Labour Association of Canada
43,000
2007
38,000
2006
13.16%
Canada CLC-CTC - the Canadian Labour Congress
3,197,600
2005
3,156,560
2004
1.30%
Canada CSD - Centrale des Syndicats Démocratiques
70,000
2007
70,000
2006
0.00%
Canada CSN - Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux
300,000
2007
300,000
2006
0.00%
Canada CSQ - Centrale des Syndicats du Québec
180,000
2008
172,000
2007
4.65%
Canada CTF - the Canadian Teachers' Federation
215,000
2007
Insufficient data
Canada FNEEQ-CSN - Fédération Nationale des Enseignantes et Enseignants du Québec
25,000
2007
Insufficient data
Canada FTQ - Federation des Travailleurs du Quebec
500,000
2007
Insufficient data
Cape Verde CCSL - Confederation Capverdienne des Syndicats Libres
18,000
2005
Insufficient data
Cape Verde CFLU - the Council of Free Labour Unions
18,000
2007
Insufficient data
Cape Verde UNTC-CS - the Trade Unions of Cape Verde Unity Centre
15,000
15000
15,000
2005
0.00%
Central African Republic CSTC - Confederation Syndicale des Travailleurs de Centrafrique
11,124
2006
6,146
2005
81.00%
Central African Republic UCAW - the Union of Central African Workers
15,000
2007
Insufficient data
Central African Republic USTC - Union Syndicale des Travailleurs de Centrafrique
15,000
2006
15,000
2005
0.00%
Chad CLTT - the Free Confederation of Chadian Workers
42,000
2006
1,000
2005
4200.00%
Chad UST - the Union of Trade Unions of Chad
55,000
2006
30,000
2005
83.33%
Chile CAT - Central Autónoma de Trabajadores
107,000
2006
Insufficient data
Chile CUT - the Workers' United Center of Chile
400,000
2006
475,000
2001
-18.75%
China, People's Republic of ACFRWU - the All-China Federation of Railway Workers' Unions
3,100,000
2006
Insufficient data
China, People's Republic of ACFTU - the All-China Federation of Trade Unions
169,940,000
2007
130,000,000
2002
30.72%
China, People's Republic of CFL - the Chinese Federation of Labour (Taiwan)
500,000
2006
Insufficient data
China, People's Republic of HKCTU - the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions
180,000
2007
164,300
2005
9.56%
China, People's Republic of HKFLU - the Hong Kong and Kowloon Federation of Labour Unions
40,000
2007
Insufficient data
China, People's Republic of HKFTU - the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions
310,000
2007
290,000
2006
6.90%
China, People's Republic of HKTUC - the Hong Kong and Kowloon Trades Union Council
5,000
2006
Insufficient data
China, People's Republic of JOU - the Joint Organization of Unions (Hong Kong)
3,000
2006
Insufficient data
Colombia CGT - Confederacion General de Trabajadores
700,000
2006
Insufficient data
Colombia CTC - the Confederation of Workers
400,000
2006
Insufficient data
Colombia CUT - the Central Union of Workers
860,000
2006
Insufficient data
Comoros CTTC - Confédération des Travailleuses et Travailleurs des Comores
4,000
2006
Insufficient data
Congo COSYLAC - the Confederation of Free and Autonomous Unions
18,735
2006
13,000
2005
44.12%
Congo CSC - the Congolese Trade Union Confederation
25,000
2006
Insufficient data
Congo CSTC - Confederation Syndicale des Travailleurs du Congo
68,500
2006
67,841
2005
0.97%
Cook Islands CIWA - the Cook Islands Workers' Association
1,200
2006
Insufficient data
Costa Rica CMTC - the Central del Movimiento de Trabajadores Costarricenses
108,000
2006
Insufficient data
Costa Rica CRCW - the Costa Rican Confederation of Workers
90,000
2007
Insufficient data
Costa Rica CTRN - Confederación du Trabajadores Rerum Novarum
30,000
2006
Insufficient data
Cote d'Ivoire Dignite - Centrale des Syndicats Libres de Cote d'Ivoire
100,000
2006
50,000
2005
200.00%
Cote d'Ivoire UGTCI - the General Workers' Union
208,129
2006
120,000
2005
73.44%
Croatia CTUA - the Croatian Trade Union Association
2,007
40000
Insufficient data
Croatia NHS - Independent Trade Unions of Croatia
87,313
2007
Insufficient data
Croatia UATUC - the Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Croatia
211,000
2007
Insufficient data
Cuba CTC - the Workers' Central Union
3,000,000
2007
Insufficient data
Cyprus CUBE - the Cyprus Union of Bank Employees
10,000
2007
Insufficient data
Cyprus DEOK - Democratic Labour Federation of Cyprus
7,500
2007
7,000
2001
7.14%
Cyprus DEV-IS - the Revolutionary Trade Unions Federation
4,500
2007
Insufficient data
Cyprus PEO - the Pancyprian Federation of Labour
70,000
2007
64,000
2001
9.38%
Cyprus SEK - the Cyprus Workers' Confederation
70,000
2007
65,000
2001
7.69%
Cyprus TURK-SEN - the Cyprus Turkish Unions Federation
3,005
2006
Insufficient data
Czech Republic ASO - the Association of Autonomous Trade Unions
170,000
2004
Insufficient data
Czech Republic CMKOS - the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions
772,000
2007
1,200,000
2000
-55.44%
Czech Republic KUK - the Confederation of Art and Culture
59,000
2007
Insufficient data
Czech Republic OSCMS - the Trade Union Federation of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia
16,000
2007
Insufficient data
Democratic Republic of the Congo CDT - the Democratic Confederation of Labour
51,000
2006
200,000
2005
-74.50%
Democratic Republic of the Congo CSC - Confederation Syndicale du Congo
100,000
2006
10,000
2005
1000.00%
Democratic Republic of the Congo UNTC - the National Union of Congolese Workers
51,000
2006
326,452
2005
-84.38%
Denmark 3F -  the General Workers' Union
352,588
2007
Insufficient data
Denmark AC - the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations
256,000
2006
255,000
2005
0.39%
Denmark FTF - the Salaried Employees' and Civil Servants' Confederation
450,000
2005
Insufficient data
Denmark LH - Ledernes Hovedorganisation
85,000
2007
76,000
2002
11.84%
Denmark LO - the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions
1,300,000
2007
1,433,000
2002
-10.23%
Djibouti UDT - the Union of Djibouti Workers
13,000
2006
15,000
2005
-15.38%
Dominica DAWU - the Dominica Amalgamated Workers' Union
2,500
2006
Insufficient data
Dominica DTU - the Dominica Trade Union
820
2006
Insufficient data
Dominican Republic CASC - Confederacion Autonoma Sindical Clasista
172,000
2006
Insufficient data
Dominican Republic CNTD - the National Confederation of Dominican Workers
143,000
2006
Insufficient data
East Timor ETTUC - the East Timor Trade Union Confederation
4,700
2007
Insufficient data
Ecuador CEDOC - Central Ecuatoriana de Organizaciones Clasistas
62,500
2006
Insufficient data
Ecuador CEOSL - the Ecuador Confederation of Free Trade Union Organizations
110,000
2006
Insufficient data
Egypt ETUF - the Egyptian Trade Union Federation
2,500,000
2007
3,500,000
2005
-40.00%
El Salvador CATS - Central Autónoma de Trabajadores Salvadoreños
30,000
2006
Insufficient data
El Salvador CTD - Central de Trabajadores Democráticos
50,000
2006
Insufficient data
El Salvador FENASTRAS - Federación Nacional Sindical de Trabajadores Salvadoreños
36,000
2007
Insufficient data
Eritrea NCEW - the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers
26,000
2006
26,000
2005
0.00%
Estonia EAKL - the Confederation of Estonian Trade Unions
47,500
2007
48,000
2002
-1.05%
Estonia ETMK - the Confederation of Estonian Food and Landworkers' Unions
4,286
2007
Insufficient data
Estonia TALO - the Estonian Employees' Unions' Confederation
37,000
2007
35,000
2002
5.71%
Ethiopia CETU - the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions
203,560
2006
400,000
2001
-96.50%
Fiji FTUC - the Fiji Trades Union Congress
33,000
2007
33,000
2006
0.00%
Finland AKAVA - the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals
461,000
2007
424,000
2003
8.73%
Finland SAK - the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions
1,046,000
2006
1,062,000
2003
-1.53%
Finland STTK - the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees
650,000
2007
634,000
2003
2.52%
France CFDT - the French Democratic Confederation of Labour
875,000
2007
889,000
2002
-1.60%
France CFECGC - the French Confederation of Management - General Confederation of Executives
160,000
2007
Insufficient data
France CFTC - the French Confederation of Christian Workers
132,000
2007
140,000
2006
-6.06%
France CGT - the General Confederation of Labour
710,000
2007
712,000
2004
-0.28%
France FO - Force Ouvrière
300,000
2007
300,000
2003
0.00%
France FSCOPA - Fédération des Syndicats Chrétiens des Organismes et Professions de l'Agriculture
1,800
2007
Insufficient data
France FSU - Fédération Syndicale Unitaire
166,000
2007
Insufficient data
France UIR-CFDT - Union Interprofessionelle de la Reunion
16,000
2006
Insufficient data
France UNSA - Union Nationale des Syndicats Autonomes
360,000
2007
Insufficient data
France UNSA-Education
100,000
2007
Insufficient data
Gabon CGSL - the Gabon Confederation of Free Trade Unions
19,000
2006
19,000
2005
0.00%
Gabon COSYGA - the Gabonese Trade Union Confederation
14,610
2006
3,000
2005
487.00%
Gambia GLC - the Gambia Labour Congress
45,000
2005
Insufficient data
Gambia GWC - the Gambian Workers' Confederation
52,000
2006
3,000
2005
1733.33%
Gambia GWU - the Gambia Workers' Union
3,000
2005
Insufficient data
Georgia GTUC - the Georgian Trade Union Confederation
204,532
2007
200,000
2006
2.27%
Germany CGB - the Christian Trade Union Federation of Germany
300,000
2007
300,000
2001
0.00%
Germany DBB - the German Civil Service Federation
1,270,000
2007
1,224,000
2002
3.76%
Germany DGB - the German Confederation of Trade Unions
6,600,000
2006
7,363,000
2003
-11.56%
Ghana GFL - the Ghana Federation of Labour
10,000
2007
10,545
2005
-5.45%
Ghana GTUC - the Ghana Trades Union Congress
275,000
2007
350,000
2005
-27.27%
Greece ADEDY - the Civil Servants' Confederation
280,000
2007
217,000
2003
29.03%
Greece GSEE - the General Confederation of Greek Workers
450,000
2007
422,000
2003
6.64%
Greece PAME - the All Workers' Militant Front
460,560
2007
Insufficient data
Grenada GTUC - Grenada Trades Union Council
8,000
2006
Insufficient data
Guatemala CGTG - Central General de Trabajadores de Guatemala
60,000
2006
Insufficient data
Guatemala CUSG - the Unified Confederation of Trade Unions of Guatemala
30,000
2006
35,000
2001
-16.67%
Guinea CNTG - the National Confederation of Guinean Workers
100,500
2006
41,475
2005
242.31%
Guinea ONSLG - the National Organization of Free Unions of Guinea
43,000
2006
43,500
2005
-1.16%
Guinea UGTG - Union Generale des Travailleurs de Guinee
25,360
2005
Insufficient data
Guinea USTG - the General Union of the Workers
41,000
2006
40,212
2005
1.96%
Guinea-Bissau UNTGB - the United Trade Union of Guinean Workers
50,000
2006
39,691
2005
25.97%
Guyana GTUC - the Guyana Trades Union Congress
15,000
2006
Insufficient data
Haiti CTH - the Confederation of Haiitian Workers
6,000
2006
Insufficient data
Honduras CGT - Central General de Trabajadores
250,000
2006
Insufficient data
Honduras CTH - the Honduras Workers' Confederation
55,000
2006
Insufficient data
Honduras CUTH - Confederación Unitaria de Trabajadores de Honduras
295,000
2006
Insufficient data
Hungary ASzSz - the Autonomous Trade Union Confederation
120,000
2007
150,000
2003
-25.00%
Hungary ESZT - Confederation of Unions for Professionals
85,000
2003
Insufficient data
Hungary LIGA - the Democratic Confederation of Free Trade Unions
101,000
2006
100,000
2003
1.00%
Hungary MOSZ - the National Federation of Workers' Councils
56,000
2007
56,000
2003
0.00%
Hungary MSzOSz - the National Confederation of Hungarian Trade Unions
465,000
2007
240,000
2003
93.75%
Hungary SZEF - Forum for the Cooperation of Trade Unions
274,000
2007
270,000
2003
1.48%
Iceland ASI - the Icelandic Confederation of Labour
88,307
2006
88,905
2005
-0.68%
India AICCTU - All India Central Council of Trade Unions
639,962
2002
Insufficient data
India AITUC - the All India Trade Union Congress
7,500,000
2007
3,300,000
2006
227.27%
India BMS - the Indian Workers' Union
7,639,000
2007
6,500,000
2000
17.52%
India CITU - the Centre of Indian Trade Unions
3,400,000
2007
3,500,000
2003
-2.94%
India HMS - Hind Mazdoor Sabha
4,500,000
2007
3,200,000
2006
40.63%
India INTUC - the Indian National Trade Union Congress
3,800,000
2006
Insufficient data
India LPF - the Labour Progressive Federation
9,000
2007
Insufficient data
India UTUC - the United Trade Union Centre - Lenin Sarani
2,000,000
2007
Insufficient data
Indonesia ITUC - Indonesian Trade Union Congress
506,236
2006
Insufficient data
Indonesia KSBSI - the Confederation of Indonesia Prosperity Trade Union
426,000
2006
462,000
2007
-8.45%
Indonesia KSPI - the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers' Union
4,600,000
2007
Insufficient data
Ireland ICTU - the Irish Congress of Trade Unions
770,000
2007
766,647
2003
0.44%
Israel New Histadrut - the General Federation of Labour in Israel
700,000
2007
500,000
2000
40.00%
Italy CGIL - the Italian General Confederation of Labour
5,567,000
2006
5,461,000
2002
1.94%
Italy CISAL - the Italian Confederation of Free Workers' Unions
1,700,000
2007
1,500,000
2001
13.33%
Italy CISL - the Italian Confederation of Workers' Trade Unions
4,347,000
2006
4,153,000
2002
4.67%
Italy CONFSAL - the Workers Autonomous Trade Unions' Confederation
1,000,000
2007
1,687,837
2001
-68.78%
Italy FP-CGIL - the Italian General Confederation of Labour
5,500,000
2007
Insufficient data
Italy UIL - the Italian Labour Union
1,936,000
2007
1,652,000
2002
17.19%
Japan DENRYOKU SOREN - the Confederation of Electric Power Industry Workers' Unions
251,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan FOOD RENGO - the Federation of All Japan Foods and Tobacco Workers' Unions
105,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan GOMU RENGO - the Japanese Rubber Workers' Unions Confederation
50,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan INSATSU ROREN - the Federation of Printing Information Media Workers' Unions
23,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan JIDOSHA SOREN - the Confederation of Japan Automobile Workers' Unions
724,000
2007
744,000
2000
-2.76%
Japan JR SOREN - the Japan Confederation of Railway Workers' Unions
62,300
2007
Insufficient data
Japan JSD - the Japan Federation of Service and Distributive Workers' Unions
194,000
2007
Insufficient data
Japan KAGAKUSOREN - the Japanese Federation of Chemical Workers' Unions
63,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan KAMIPA RENGO - the Japanese Federation of Pulp and Paper Workers' Unions
46,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan KENSETSU RENGO - the Japan Construction Trade Union Confederation
11,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan KOKU RENGO - the Japan Federation of Aviation Industry Unions
24,000
2001
25,000
2000
-4.17%
Japan NHK ROREN - the Federation of All-NHK Labour Unions
12,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan NIHON IROREN - the Japan Federation of Medical Workers' Unions
173,221
2001
155,000
2000
11.76%
Japan NIKKENKYO - the Council of Japan Construction Industry Employees' Unions
56,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan NIKKYOSO - the Japan Teachers' Union
350,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan NUGW - the National Union of General Workers
9,824
2001
46,000
2000
-78.64%
Japan RENGO - the Japanese Trade Union Confederation
6,595,000
2007
7,314,000
2000
-10.90%
Japan ZENJIKO ROREN - the National Federation of Automobile Transport Workers' Unions
44,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan ZENKOKU GAS - the Federation of Gas Workers' Unions
30,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan ZENKOKU NODANRO - the National Federation of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Corporations' Workers' Unions
22,000
2000
Insufficient data
Japan ZENROKYO - the National Trade Union Council
139,424
2007
261,000
2000
-87.20%
Japan ZENROREN - the National Confederation of Trade Unions
846,362
2007
1,036,000
2000
-22.41%
Japan ZENSHINRO - the National Federation of Credit Association Workers' Unions
6,000
2001
Insufficient data
Jordan GFJTU - the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions
120,000
2006
230,000
2001
-91.67%
Kazakhstan FPRK - the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan
1,500,000
2007
Insufficient data
Kenya COTU - the Central Organization of Trade Unions
1,500,000
2007
600,000
2005
250.00%
Kiribati KTUC - Kiribati Trade Union Congress
2,700
2007
2,600
2006
3.85%
Kosovo BSPK - the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosova
106,607
2006
Insufficient data
Kuwait KTUF - Kuwait Trade Union Federation
60,000
2007
34,274
2006
75.06%
Laos LFTU - the Lao Federation of Trade Unions
77,000
2007
Insufficient data
Latvia LBAS - the Free Trade Confederation of Latvia
165,000
2007
250,000
2000
-51.52%
Lebanon GCLW - General Confederation of Lebanese Workers
200,000
2007
Insufficient data
Lesotho COLETU - the Congress of Lesotho Trade Unions
13,000
2005
8,000
2003
62.50%
Lesotho LECODU - the Lesotho Congress of Democratic Unions
15,000
2005
Insufficient data
Lesotho LTUC - Lesotho Trade Unions Congress
1,639
2005
33,000
2005
-95.03%
Liberia CONATUL - the Congress of National Trade Unions of Liberia
25,000
2006
Insufficient data
Liberia LFLU - the Liberia Federation of Labour Unions
17,000
2006
16,500
2005
3.03%
Libya GFPTU - the General Federation of Producers' Trade Unions
500,000
2005
Insufficient data
Liechtenstein LEA - the Liechtenstein Employees' Association
1,300
2007
Insufficient data
Lithuania LDF - the Lithuanian Federation of Labour
20,000
2006
20,000
2000
0.00%
Lithuania LPSK - the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation
120,000
2007
100,000
2006
20.00%
Lithuania LZUD - the Trade Union Federation of Lituanian Agricultural Workers
8,035
2007
Insufficient data
Lithuania SOLIDARUMAS - the Lithuanian Trade Union
52,000
2006
53,000
2000
-1.92%
Luxembourg ALEBA/UEP-NGL-SNEP - the National Union of Private Sector White-collar Union Federation
20,000
2003
Insufficient data
Luxembourg CGFP - Confédération Générale de la Fonction Publique
24,000
2003
Insufficient data
Luxembourg CGTL - Confederation Generale du Travail du Luxembourg
58,000
2007
63,622
2006
-9.69%
Luxembourg LCGB - the Confederation of Christian Unions in Luxembourg
40,000
2007
40,000
2003
0.00%
Luxembourg OGB-L - the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions
58,000
2007
46,000
2000
26.09%
Macedonia, Republic of UNASM - Union of Independent and Autonomous Trade Unions  of Macedonia
5,300
2006
Insufficient data
Madagascar FISEMA - Confederation des Syndicats des Travailleurs de Madagascar
25,362
2006
Insufficient data
Madagascar FISEMARE - Federation des Syndicats de Travailleurs de Madagascar
60,000
2005
Insufficient data
Madagascar FMM - the Confederation of Malagasy Workers
15,000
2006
30,000
2000
-50.00%
Madagascar SEKRIMA - the Christian Confederation of Malagasy Trade Unions
20,000
2006
5,000
2005
400.00%
Madagascar USAM - the United Autonomous Unions of Madagascar
3,900
2006
2,706
2005
44.12%
Malawi COMATU - the Congress of Malawi Trade Unions
7,000
2005
Insufficient data
Malawi MCTU - the Malawi Congress of Trade Unions
180,000
2006
45,000
2001
400.00%
Malaysia CUEPCS - the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services
120,000
2007
Insufficient data
Malaysia MKTR - the National Council of Unions of the Industrial and Lower Income Group of Government Workers
45,000
2007
Insufficient data
Malaysia MTUC - the Malaysian Trades Union Congress
500,000
2007
404,000
2001
23.76%
Mali CSTM - the Workers' Trade Union Confederation of Mali
15,010
2006
15,000
2003
0.07%
Mali UNTM - the National Workers' Union
130,000
2006
122,000
2003
6.56%
Malta CMTU - the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions
30,351
2006
36,000
2003
-18.61%
Malta GWU - the General Workers' Union
46,500
2007
47,000
2002
-1.08%
Malta UHM - the Malta Workers' Union
25,900
2007
25,600
2006
1.17%
Mauritania CGTM - the General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers
25,000
2006
25,000
2005
0.00%
Mauritania CLTM - the Free Confederation of Mauritanian Workers
56,000
2006
5,000
2005
1120.00%
Mauritania UTM - the Union of Mauritanian Workers
28,789
2006
Insufficient data
Mauritius CMT - Mauricienne de Travailleurs
10,258
2005
Insufficient data
Mauritius FPU - the Federation of Progressive Unions
35,000
2007
Insufficient data
Mauritius FSSC - the Federation of Civil Service Unions
25,000
2007
20,000
2005
25.00%
Mauritius MLC - the Mauritius Labour Congress
30,000
2006
45,000
2001
-50.00%
Mauritius MTUC - the Mauritius Trade Union Congress
25,000
2006
33,000
2005
-32.00%
Mauritius NTUC - the National Trade Union Confederation
59,000
2006
10,000
2005
590.00%
Mexico CNT - Consejo Nacional de Trabajadores
6,000
2006
Insufficient data
Mexico CROC - Confederación Revolucionaria de Obreros y Campesinos
4,500,000
2007
Insufficient data
Mexico CROM - the Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers
600,000
2007
Insufficient data
Mexico CTM - the Confederation of Mexican Workers
1,500,000
2006
1,500,000
2002
0.00%
Mexico FAT - the Authentic Labor Front
2,000,000
2007
Insufficient data
Mexico UNT - Union Nacional de Trabajadores
500,000
2006
Insufficient data
Moldova CSRM - the Confederation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Moldova
543,000
2007
356,266
2006
52.41%
Mongolia CMTU - the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions
450,000
2006
Insufficient data
Montenegro SSSCG - the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Montenegro
61,320
2006
Insufficient data
Morocco CDT - the Democratic Confederation of Labour
61,500
2006
40,000
2005
53.75%
Morocco GUMW - the General Union of Moroccan Workers
695,000
2007
Insufficient data
Morocco UGTM - Union Générale des Travailleurs du Maroc
53,000
2006
21,765
2005
243.51%
Morocco UMT - the Moroccan Workers' Union
320,000
2006
305,000
2005
4.92%
Mozambique OTM - the Mozambique Workers' Organization
97,305
2006
120,000
2000
-23.32%
Namibia NUNW - the National Union of Namibian Workers
65,000
2005
65,000
2004
0.00%
Namibia TUCNA - the Trade Union Congress of Namibia
19,000
2007
17,500
2005
8.57%
Nepal DECONT - the Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Unions
75,000
2006
Insufficient data
Nepal GEFONT - the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions
304,601
2006
Insufficient data
Nepal NTUC - the Nepal Trade Union Congress
140,000
2006
Insufficient data
Netherlands CGTC - Central General di Trahadonan di Corsow
5,380
2006
Insufficient data
Netherlands CNV - the National Federation of Christian Trade Unions
340,000
2007
355,000
2003
-4.41%
Netherlands FEDEBON - the Bonaire Federation of Labour
500
2006
Insufficient data
Netherlands FNV - Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging Bondgenoten
1,181,800
2007
1,226,000
2003
-3.74%
Netherlands FTA - the Aruban Workers' Federation
3,000
2006
Insufficient data
Netherlands MHP - the Federation of Managerial and Professional Staff Unions
160,000
2007
169,000
2003
-5.63%
Netherlands SSK - the Trade Unions Centre of Curaçao
4,000
2006
Insufficient data
New Caledonia USOENC - Union des Syndicats des Ouvriers et Employés de Nouvelle-Calédonie
4,781
2006
Insufficient data
New Zealand NZCTU - the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
350,000
2007
319,660
2001
9.49%
Nicaragua CST - the Sandinista Workers' Centre
40,000
2006
Insufficient data
Nicaragua CTN - the Nicaraguan Workers' Centre
25,410
2006
Insufficient data
Nicaragua CUS - the Confederation of Labour Unification
30,000
2006
Insufficient data
Niger CDTN - the Democratic Confederation of Workers
40,000
2007
Insufficient data
Niger CNT - the Nigerien Confederation of Labour
45,000
2006
15,000
2005
300.00%
Niger USTN - the Union of Workers' Trade Unions of Niger
38,000
2006
60,000
2005
-57.89%
Nigeria CFTU - the Congress of Free Trade Unions
100,000
2005
Insufficient data
Nigeria NLC - the Nigeria Labour Congress
4,000,000
2007
4,000,000
2005
0.00%
Nigeria TUC - the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria
500,000
2006
500,000
2005
0.00%
Norway Akademikerne - the Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations
131,000
2007
132,756
2003
-1.34%
Norway Fellesforbundet - the United Federation of Trade Unions
140,000
2007
Insufficient data
Norway LO - the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions
834,221
2006
838,749
2003
-0.54%
Norway UNIO - the Confederation of Unions for Professionals
262,000
2006
223,000
2003
17.49%
Norway YS - the Confederation of Vocational Unions
206,361
2006
201,552
2003
2.39%
Pakistan APFUTU - the All Pakistan Federation of United Trade Unions
183,000
2007
Insufficient data
Pakistan APTUC - the All Pakistan Trade Union Congress
64,000
2006
Insufficient data
Pakistan APTUF - All Pakistan Trade Union Federation
100,000
2003
Insufficient data
Pakistan PWF - the Pakistan Workers' Federation
880,000
2006
Insufficient data
Palestinian territories PGFTU - the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions
290,000
2007
500,000
2003
-72.41%
Panama CGTP - the General Confederation of Workers
53,250
2006
Insufficient data
Panama CS - Convergencia Sindical
75,000
2006
Insufficient data
Panama CTRP - the Confederation of Workers of the Republic of Panama
40,000
2006
Insufficient data
Papua New Guinea PNGTUC - the Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress
70,000
2007
45,000
2004
55.56%
Paraguay CNT - National Workers' Central
120,840
2006
Insufficient data
Paraguay CPT - the Paraguayan Workers' Confederation
7,672
2006
Insufficient data
Paraguay CUT-A - Central Unitaria de Trabajadores - Auténtica
40,000
2006
Insufficient data
Peru CATP - Central Autónoma de Trabajadores del Perú
12,705
2006
Insufficient data
Peru CUT - Confederación Unitaria de Trabajadores del Perú
300,000
2007
Insufficient data
Philippines ADFLO - the Alliance of Democratic Free Labor Organizations
958
2006
Insufficient data
Philippines ADLO - the Association of Democratic Labor Organizations
9,185
2006
Insufficient data
Philippines AFLU - the Associated Federation of Labor Unions
4,591
2006
Insufficient data
Philippines CIUPS - the Confederation of Independent Unions in the Public Sector
55,000
2007
Insufficient data
Philippines FFW - the Federation of Free Workers
27,078
2006
Insufficient data
Philippines NACUSIP - the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry  in the Philippines
5,073
2006
Insufficient data
Philippines NAFLU - the National Federation of Labor Unions
27,940
2006
Insufficient data
Philippines TUCP - the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines
4,000,000
2006
1,500,000
2002
266.67%
Poland FZZ - the Trade Unions Forum
250,000
2007
320,000
2003
-28.00%
Poland NSZZ Solidarnosc - the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union
634,000
2006
1,200,000
2000
-89.27%
Poland OPZZ - the All-Polish Agreement of Trade Unions
650,000
2006
800,000
2003
-23.08%
Portugal CGTP - the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers
650,000
2007
652,000
2003
-0.31%
Romania CNS - Cartel Alfa
1,050,000
2006
1,000,000
2003
5.00%
Romania CSDR - the Democratic Trade Union Confederation of Romania
101,000
2006
650,000
2003
-84.46%
Romania FSGR - the Federation of Trade Unions in the Gas Sector
25,000
2007
Insufficient data
Russia FNPR - the Federation of Independent Trade Unions
27,800,000
2006
31,500,000
2002
-13.31%
Russia KTR - the Confederation of Labour
1,250,000
2006
Insufficient data
Russia RUJ - the Russian Union of Journalists
100,000
2007
Insufficient data
Russia SOTSPROF - the Trade Union Association
453,000
2007
Insufficient data
Russia VKT - the All-Russian Confederation of Labour
1,300,000
2006
Insufficient data
Rwanda CESTRAR - the Trade Union Centre of Workers
35,000
2007
30,000
2005
16.67%
Rwanda COTRAF - Congrès du Travail et de la Fraternité au Rwanda
4,200
2007
4,700
2006
-11.90%
Saint Lucia NWU - the National Workers' Union
3,000
2006
Insufficient data
Samoa STUC - the Samoa Trade Union Congress
1,502
2006
Insufficient data
San Marino CDLS - Confederazione Democratica Lavoratori Sammarinesi
5,620
2006
Insufficient data
San Marino CSDL - Confederazione Sammarinese del Lavoro
4,500
2006
Insufficient data
San Marino SMCL - the San Marino Confederation of Labour
2,400
2007
Insufficient data
São Tomé and Príncipe ONTSTP-CS - the National Organization of the Workers of São Tomé and Príncipe - Central Union
3,336
2006
3,133
2005
6.48%
São Tomé and Príncipe UGT-STP - the General Union of the Workers of São Tomé and Príncipe
7,684
2006
1,867
2005
411.57%
Senegal CNTS - the National Confederation of Senegalese Workers
60,000
2007
80,000
2005
-33.33%
Senegal CNTS-FC - Confédération Nationale des Travailleurs du Sénégal - Forces du Changement
13,910
2005
Insufficient data
Senegal CSA - Confederation des Syndicats Autonomes du Senegal
40,000
2006
Insufficient data
Senegal UDTS - the Democratic Union of Senegalese Workers
20,000
2006
5,000
2005
400.00%
Senegal UNSAS - the National Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Senegal
53,000
2006
52,360
2005
1.22%
Senegal UTLS - Union des Travailleurs Libres de Senegal
6,000
2005
Insufficient data
Serbia CATUS - the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia
680,000
2007
465,000
2006
46.24%
Seychelles SFWU - the Seychelles Federation of Workers' Unions
5,000
2006
5,000
2005
0.00%
Sierra Leone SLCTU - the Sierra Leone Confederation of Trade Unions
8,340
2006
3,916
2005
212.97%
Sierra Leone SLLC - the Sierra Leone Labour Congress
25,000
2006
20,169
2005
23.95%
Singapore NTUC - the National Trades Union Congress
225,000
2006
420,000
2003
-86.67%
Slovak Republic KOZSR - the Confederation of Trade Unions of the Slovak Republic
347,760
2007
750,000
2001
-53.63%
Slovak Republic NKOS - the Independent Christian Trade Unions of Slovakia
10,000
2007
Insufficient data
Slovenia KNSS - the Confederation of New Trade Unions of Slovenia
35,000
2005
15,000
2003
233.33%
Slovenia Konfederacija '90
40,000
2005
10,000
2003
400.00%
Slovenia KSS Pergam - the Confederation of Trade Unions of Slovenia
87,000
2005
15,000
2003
580.00%
Slovenia ZSSS - the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia
300,000
2007
180,000
2003
66.67%
South Africa CONSAWU - the Confederation of South African Workers' Unions
200,000
2006
Insufficient data
South Africa COSATU - the Congress of South African Trade Unions
2,000,000
2007
1,700,000
2003
17.65%
South Africa SACOTU - the South African Congress of Trade Unions
890,000
2007
Insufficient data
South Korea FKTU - the Federation of Korean Trade Unions
880,000
2008
780,183
2004
12.79%
South Korea KCTU - the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
500,100
2006
673,880
2003
-34.75%
Spain CC.OO - the Workers' Commissions of Spain
831,900
2006
770,000
2000
8.04%
Spain ELA-STV - Solidarity of Basque Workers - Eusko Langileen Alkartasuna
110,000
2006
Insufficient data
Spain USO - Union Sindical Obrera
110,000
2006
72,000
2000
52.78%
Sri Lanka CWC - the Ceylon Workers' Congress
190,000
2006
Insufficient data
Sri Lanka NWC - the National Workers' Congress
82,972
2006
Insufficient data
Suriname OSAV - the Organization of Cooperating Autonomous Trade Unions
5,000
2006
Insufficient data
Suriname PFTU - Progressive Federation of Trade Unions
7,000
2006
Insufficient data
Swaziland SFL - the Swaziland Federation of Labour
12,000
2007
11,000
2005
9.09%
Swaziland SFTU - the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions
25,000
2007
83,000
2000
-69.88%
Sweden LO - the Swedish Trade Union Confederation
1,680,000
2007
1,919,000
2002
-14.23%
Sweden SACO - the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations
421,500
2007
386,000
2002
9.20%
Sweden TCO - the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees
975,000
2007
1,065,000
2002
-9.23%
Switzerland SGB - the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions
380,000
2007
315,000
2006
20.63%
Switzerland Travail.Suisse - the Swiss Workers' Federation
170,000
2007
Insufficient data
Syria GFTU - the General Federation of Trade Unions
300,000
2007
Insufficient data
Tajikistan TFTU - the Tajikistan Federation of Trade Unions
1,500,000
2007
Insufficient data
Tanzania TUCTA - the Trade Unions Congress of Tanzania
350,000
2006
308,656
2001
13.39%
Tanzania ZATUC - the Zanzibar Trade Union Congress
15,000
2006
14,000
2003
7.14%
Thailand LCT - the Labour Congress of Thailand
25,000
2007
25,000
2006
0.00%
Thailand NCPE - the National Congress of Private Industrial Employees
150,000
2007
150,000
2006
0.00%
Thailand TTUC - the Thai Trade Union Congress
8,000
2006
8,000
2006
0.00%
Togo CGCT - Confederation Generale des Syndicats Libres
840
2005
Insufficient data
Togo CNTT - the National Confederation of Togolese Workers
35,000
2006
35,000
2005
0.00%
Togo CSTT - the Confederation Syndicale de Travailleurs du Togo
55,250
2006
20,000
2005
276.25%
Togo GSA - Groupe des Syndicats Autonomes
5,600
2005
Insufficient data
Togo UGSL - Union Generale des Syndicats Libres
10,000
2005
Insufficient data
Togo UNSIT - the National Union of Independent Trade Unions of Togo
8,061
2006
Insufficient data
Togo UTT - Union des Travailleurs du Togo
4,200
2005
Insufficient data
Trinidad and Tobago FITUN - the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and Non-Governmental Organisations
2,000
2007
Insufficient data
Trinidad and Tobago NATUC - the National Trade Union Centre of Trinidad and Tobago
45,000
2006
Insufficient data
Tunisia UGTT - the Tunisian General Labour Union
539,000
2006
532,917
2005
1.14%
Turkey DISK - the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions
327,000
2007
Insufficient data
Turkey HAK-IS - the Confederation of Turkish Real Trade Unions
330,000
2006
Insufficient data
Turkey KESK - the Confederation of Public Workers' Unions
200,000
2006
Insufficient data
Turkey TURK-IS - the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions
400,000
2007
600,000
2006
-50.00%
Turkmenistan NCTUT - the National Centre of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan
1,300,000
2007
Insufficient data
Uganda NOTU - the National Organisation of Trade Unions
89,500
2006
80,000
2001
11.88%
Ukraine FPU - the Federation of Trade Unions
10,000,000
2007
11,192,950
2006
-11.93%
Ukraine KVPU - the Confederation of Free Trade Unions
148,000
2007
242,000
2006
-63.51%
Ukraine VOST - All-Ukrainian Union of Workers' Solidarity
150,000
2006
Insufficient data
United Kingdom GFTU - the General Federation of Trade Unions
225,687
2006
Insufficient data
United Kingdom STUC - the Scottish Trades Union Congress
630,000
2007
Insufficient data
United Kingdom TUC - the Trades Union Congress
6,500,000
2007
6,685,000
2001
-2.85%
United States AFL-CIO - the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations
10,500,000
2007
13,000,000
2001
-23.81%
United States AFSCME - the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
1,400,000
2007
1,300,000
2002
7.69%
United States AFT - the American Federation of Teachers
1,400,000
2007
1,300,000
2006
7.69%
United States CtW - Change to Win
6,000,000
2005
Insufficient data
Uruguay PIT-CNT - the Intersyndical Plenary of Workers of the National Convention of Workers
120,000
2007
Insufficient data
Vanuatu VCTU - the Vanuatu Council of Trade Unions
1,853
2006
Insufficient data
Venezuela ASI - Alianza Sindical Independiente
120,000
2006
Insufficient data
Venezuela CGT - Confederacion General de Trabajadores
51,000
2006
Insufficient data
Venezuela CODESA - Confederación de Sindicatos Autónomos
54,450
2006
Insufficient data
Venezuela CTV - the Confederation of Workers
250,000
2006
800,000
2002
-68.75%
Vietnam VGCL - the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour
4,300,000
2007
Insufficient data
Yemen GFWTUY - the General Federation of Workers' Trade Unions
350,000
2006
Insufficient data
Zambia FFTUZ - the Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia
20,000
2005
35,000
2003
-75.00%
Zambia ZCTU - the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions
350,000
2006
210,557
2000
66.23%
Zimbabwe NFTU - the National Federation of Trade Unions
12,000
2005
Insufficient data
Zimbabwe ZCTU - the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
170,000
2006
361,000
2005
-52.91%
   

Last updated 20/4/08


Discussion

How "robust" is the data above? It has been collected from credible and publicly accessible sources. As a Google search will confirm, we have used every bit of such data that we could find. Of course, this is not enough to c0onstitute any kind of proof. Union membership is a notoriously difficult area of study.

whiteboardThere will be people out there who can read the data above and know at a glance cases where we have been misinformed. Please, rather than using this knowledge to discount our work, contact us! This is an "open source" collaborative work - we need to maintain it with the best information we can find.
You can use this form or email us here.

The first problem the intrepid researcher must face is that unions have differing definitions of "membership". Some include the unemployed, the retired, honourary characters and/or students in their figures. Some count only fee-paying members, while others count just about anybody who has taken home a union leaflet. And then there are those who include all of those whom they represent in collective bargaining, whether or not these people have ever heard of the union. But the biggest problem of all is that most of the world's unions simply don't have the infrastructure to maintain accurate data. There is no question of right or wrong here. Our approach has been to go with the definition used and to seek comparable figures from different years.

Then there are the heated arguments over whether certain unions are "genuine" (usually based around accusations of employer or government control). Some unions are also known to misreport data. Some are little more than mouthpieces for a particular religious or political belief (eg there are still national socialist "unions"). We have been taken the inclusive road; there are unions in our list which some might argue (according to their preferred definitions) are not "real unions". However  by avoiding grand totals we have avoided giving any union a serious distorting influence in the overall picture. Each union counts as one. It is not their credibility that we measure, but the trend within their membership.

Then there are the problems caused by simplistic rendering of membership density statistics (as discussed here). We have not used membership density as a measuring tool here, and would advise others to be wary of such figures. They are analagous to a punchline without the joke. It is the information behind the percentage that we need.

And what is a national union federation? Some federations include subsets of members from other federations. In many countries there are unions who have become members of more than one national center. Some federations are, themselves, members of others. And some have split up but not yet regrouped - effectively leaving millions of workers off the record until they do. Again, until the day somebody approaches this question with a serious research budget, it pays to avoid any kind of national or international totalling.

Whatever happened to these big research commitments? Until fairly recently there were international institutions who made it their business to subscribe to Statistical Digests and employ professional statisticians to cross-reference methodolgies, disagregate totals and generally massage information into comparable shapes. Where there were gaps they undertook studies. Where there were problems they commissioned solutions. However this work became a political football in the mid-1980s, as certain governments ceased to be neutral players in the industrial relations game (while others never were). The last genuinely international study of union membership was published by the ILO more than ten years ago - on the same year that Princess Diana died. The data it used was even older. There are apparently no plans for another study. What we have been left with, then, is a faded snapshot from 1997. At that stage the union movement (in most developed countries) had been in retreat for twenty years. The outlook for unionism was the bleakest it has ever been. Imagine watching reruns of Diana's funeral every time you turn on the television. Effectively, this is what the media has been doing with their portrayal of a moribund union movement.

So what do we do? Ducking the question, as the international institutions seem to have done, has allowed the media to continue misrepresenting the state of unionism. One thing we can try - an approach which this network hopes to have initiated - is to seek a new math.We have presented an initial picture to the public, and are adopting an "open source" path to incrementally sharpen our data set and our methodology. We have spent almost a year (ie since May 2007) trialling this route, and have received positive feedback and help from leading authorities in the field. In terms of building empirical data the approach seems to be working, although it does not carry the authorative stamp necessary to create media coverage. So be it. The least we can do is challenge dominant narrative.

As we have shown elsewhere (details here), the period of 1997 to 2003 was something  of a turning point for the union movement. Many of them, particularly those in richer countries, started to discuss new strategies, and to experiment with alternative visions and new ways forward. The countries which experienced the heaviest membership decline were those which offshored their manufacturing base and moved towards services. The new century has seen these unions slow and in many cases even reverse their membership decline. In the meantime those countries which received their manufacturing base have, by and large, seen strong membership growth. Every indication is that this trend has since accelerated.

"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers."   Thomas Pynchon

Of course the worst thing about those endless feature stories on union decline is that they demoralise people and devalue the work of union members themselves. In fact if we aren't careful union decline may become a self-fulfilling prophecy. So, in conclusion, we would suggest that the movement pauses to acknowledge the work of those who have slowly but surely turned the situation around. Unionists, over the last 10 years you have achieved far more than you are given credit for. The question is not how to keep the movement afloat - this is just a recipe for reinforcing business unionism and bureaucratism. The question we face now is how we move beyond the numbers game, and start rebuilding workers' influence.

 


 

Some further notes on method

There will be people out there who know at a glance where we have been misinformed. Please, rather than using this knowledge to discount our work, contact us! You can use this form or email us here.

As this is an open project we have decided to draw exclusively on sources available online, so that nothing need be taken on faith. As stated above, we have a credible online source for each and every figure quoted above (click here to download the spreadsheet). We will only update our data when a publicly accessible source can be quoted.

In collecting data we have sometimes encountered conflicting figures for the same year. Sometimes both are from apparently reliable sources. Generally this can be explained by differences in the definitions applied. In such instances we have opted for the lower number unless we have comparable data (ie applyng the same definition) from other years.

Where a membership figure has remained identical over time we have defined the union membership as stable. We understand that this is a dubious assumption, however in taking this course we make the claim open to public scrutiny.

We have preferred certain sources over others. In most cases we have given credence to numbers declared in "About Us" statements on websites. It has been suggested that these figures are sometimes inflated. Wherever possible we investigate this. However it is trends over time and critical feedback we are looking for, and so we will continue with this approach unless a figure is clearly shown to be false. It should also be noted that a similar number of fugures are likely to under-represent membership numbers, as declarations to national and international federations often lead to capitation levies. In a few such cases we have flagged data for further research, but unless we are seriously in doubt we have published it in the meantime. The reason for this is that you, collectively, know more about these national realities than we do. Tell us where we are wrong!

The one case where, normally, we do not take a federation's word at face value is where the cited page is undated, and is in a second language. We have found that these pages are often created and then forgotten about for long periods. Unions often report one number in their primary language and a totally different one on their foreign language pages. We have used such data cautiously.

Membership declarations to the newly-formed ITUC have been an invaluable source. As noted above, these probably tend to be conservative. ICTUR, ETUI-REHS and EIRO are also justly renowned for their high-quality data. The ITUC and one of its predessors - the ICFTU - also did some great work in this area. We would particularly like to acknowledge three leading contributors in this field: Jelle Visser, Lionel Fulton and Mark Carley. Thanks also for useful comments from Richard Hyman and Peter Peek.

And then there is Wikipedia. Large scale comparative studies have shown that this open project is now as reliable as the Encyclopedia Britannica. However this is one area where the quality of data varies immensely. Again, we have used this source cautiously. For one thing, membership figures are seldom dated or sourced. Some pages are also clearly written with a political axe to grind. However where there is no other information available, and the relevant Wiki seems to be in accord with more general statements about a federation's size, we have included it in our reference set.

And then there are the contradictions. There are pressures on unions, as well as employers and governments, to skew the figures. In some countries union federations cannot take part in tripartite negotiations until they have reached a certain membership level. In others, unions under-report their membership because they cannot afford concommitant levies. In highly competitive environments unions and employers (including government, as the world's largest employer) often play numerical games to affect public opinion.

As noted, membership density usually distorts public perceptions as well. Indeed, there are cases where union membership has gone up but density has gone down. Usually it is the latter which is reported. The US and Australia are two prime examples. In 2006 their respective medias both announced a sizeable union decline, ignoring both employment and legislative shifts which more than accounted for the decrease. Trade union density figures do not tell us whether unions are growing or shrinking. Nor do they tell us what the changes have been in the labour market. Worse, they hide these figures, and prevent us from measuring change from one year to the next. Density is a useful figure, but only if it is accompanied by the data from which it is derived. Otherwise it is just a veil thrown over politcal and economic shifts.

The New Unionism network is now beginning a similar study of trends in trade union membership at individual union level. Again, we have adopted an open-source approach. We will need at least a year to produce our first set of results. You can preview our work here and help sharpen the data set here: http://www.younionize.org/directory.

 



Footnotes

* Click here to access the previous study.

** This graph is accurate for the data in the table below as at 20 April 2008. Thanks to those who have helped. With each cycle of data updates (four-monthly) we will produce a new iteration of the graph, and will update this note accordingly
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