A Driving Force
Unions, trade associations and labor organizations look to build on recent momentum
Since comparative state to state data became available in 1989, New Jersey has historically always had a high rate of union membership and representation. As of 2024, New Jersey had the fifth-most union representation in the nation at 16.2%, several percentage points above the national average for that year of 9.9%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Mid-Atlantic Information Office.
Membership has been on the rise since the representation low point of 14.9% from 2018 to 2022. This and other major strides in recent years have led many union professionals to express optimism and enthusiasm about the future of membership within the state.
South Jersey Biz spoke with several local professionals that work closely with unions throughout New Jersey, all of whom shared that while public support for unions is on the rise, there is still work to be done.
What is your organization’s take on the recent rise of unions, union activity and power in New Jersey?
“It’s a positive development. … There are more people looking toward unions for the things that unions provide in terms of having a voice in the workplace. I think you see what happened federally to the federal employees, but you’ve seen their unions fighting back. They might not be winning them all, but they are fighting back and they’re representing the interest of little people. And when you have titans out there, like [Jeff] Bezos and [Elon] Musk, who are spending millions of dollars fighting unions, I think [it shows] a union actually does mean that you can at least balance some of the forces and have some input into what is your work-life balance. … I think people are understanding the value in that and advocating and fighting for retirement security, medical benefits and the other things we do that come along with unions.”
-Greg Lalavee, business manager, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 825
“We view the recent rise in union activity and influence as a reflection of the growing recognition of the value union construction brings to New Jersey’s economy and communities. Increased awareness among state and local officials about the benefits of union construction, such as delivering high-quality projects on time and with a highly trained workforce, has elevated the unions’ visibility and credibility with the general public. At the same time, unions continue to provide living wages and comprehensive benefits that strengthen the middle class and promote economic stability and growth.
“Additionally, unions have remained actively engaged in the civic process, supporting candidates and causes that directly impact their members and the construction industry. Together, these factors have contributed to the recent increase in union activity and presence across the state.”
- Jack Kocsis Jr., CEO, Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ)
What would you say unions need to do to continue the recent momentum?
“To keep the momentum going, unions need to stay engaged with their members and maintain strong leadership. We have to educate workers about their rights and show them the tangible benefits of union membership. Collaboration across unions and industries is also key because our strength comes from standing together.”
-William C. Sproule, executive secretary-treasurer, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
“[We need to] continue to talk about advocating for jobs that pay family sustaining wages and fight in the workplace for benefits. We don’t necessarily want to be adverse to management. That’s not our goal either. We want to be good business partners till the end, but at the same time, serve as a bulwark to say, ‘Well, wait a minute, this is what retirement looks like. This is what medical benefits look like,’ and have productive conversations around those things.”
-Greg Lalavee
What is your organization currently doing to promote union power?
“We promote union power by advocating for fair labor practices, supporting organizing campaigns and providing training that strengthens our members’ skills. We push for legislation and policies that protect workers across our jurisdiction. Every project we take on, every contract we negotiate, is an opportunity to demonstrate the value of union membership.”
-William C. Sproule
“ACCNJ promotes union power by consistently championing union construction on commercial projects throughout the state. This includes advocating for the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on public projects, supporting and highlighting the apprenticeship programs offered by the union construction trades and advancing workforce development initiatives such as Construction Industry Career Day that strengthen the talent pipeline into construction careers.”
-Jack Kocsis Jr.
Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Biz, Volume 16, Issue 3 (March 2026).
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