In part, this due to the number of naturalized citizens working in the highly-unionized public sector. However, we find that in the private sector, foreign-born workers in general are more likely to be union members across the US, in New York State, and in the NYC metro area.

Of course, foreign-born workers are not a homogeneous group. In NYC, the disparity in union membership rates is even higher comparing native born and naturalized citizens, particularly when considering workers who arrived in the 90s.

Given the Trump administration's relentless attacks on immigrant workers, our special section this year focused on foreign-born workers and union membership. We find that in NYC, foreign-born workers have slightly higher rates of union membership than native born workers.

Much recent union organizing has been spearheaded by younger college-educated workers, either in professional or other service sector jobs. We find that, indeed, those with at least some college education tend to have higher union membership rates.

It still pays to be a union member. Across all the areas we analyzed, we find a union wage premium, with an especially dramatic gap in the areas of New York outside NYC.

As we find year after year, NYC is more than holding its own in terms of union membership. Despite a gradual decline over the past two decades, union density in the city is still more than double the national rate.