What unions do

Regarding a March 19 letter that questioned the desirability of increased unionization:

Union employees earn higher wages and are more likely to have employer-provided health insurance and retirement plans. The benefits of unions, however, extend far beyond the individual worker.

Compared to states with few union members (like North Carolina), states with a high percentage of union members have higher average wages, fewer people in poverty, fewer people without health insurance, lower workplace fatality rates, higher public education spending per pupil and higher voter participation rates.

The labor movement is responsible for the 40-hour work week, child labor laws and worker health and safety protections. In recent years, unions have organized against bad trade deals and the movement offshore of American jobs. Unions have fought to protect Social Security and increase access to affordable health care and prescription drugs.

At a time when CEO pay, health-care costs and gas prices are skyrocketing while employees' wages remain stagnant, Americans need unions more than ever if we want the middle class to survive.

Ajamu Dillahunt

Outreach coordinator, N.C. Justice Center; retired president, Local 1078 American Postal Workers Union

Raleigh