How did the COVID‐19 pandemic affect men's and women's returns to unionization?

Abstract

AbstractUsing data from the Current Population Survey for the period 2015 to 2021, I study union‐nonunion differences in employment, wages and other terms and conditions before and after the COVID‐19 pandemic. Analyses are run separately for men and women. I find that, compared to non‐union workers, union workers were better able to retain employment, less likely to do telework, and more likely to receive pay for the hours they did not work during the pandemic. These patterns were more evident for female workers.