WCPO: Strong economy contributes to labor strikes
UC economist says unions have used leverage granted by low unemployment numbers
Workers in several industries have gone on strike in 2023, WCPO reported, which a University of Cincinnati economist said can be at least partially attributed to the strength of the labor market.
Nick Williams, PhD, associate professor, Department of Economics
Nick Williams, PhD, associate professor of economics in UC's Carl H. Lindner College of Business, said the nation's low unemployment rate means workers have leverage in contract negotiations.
“Unions have given a lot back over the last 20 years,” Williams said. “Now they’re trying to get some of what they gave back.”
While unions have received a lot of attention in the past year, union membership is at record lows. Union members made up just over 10% of the national workforce in 2022.
It's unclear how the gains made by unions will affect non-union employees or how future negotiations will be affected by changes to the economy, Williams said.
Featured image at top: Labor union on strike picketing signs resting on a wall. Photo/Martin Chavez via iStock
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Further action is required to make this image accessible
One of the below criteria must be satisfied:
- Add image alt tag OR
- Mark image as decorative
The image will not display on the live site until the issue above is resolved.
Related Stories
Yahoo! News promotes UC botanist's solution for honeysuckle
February 10, 2026
Yahoo! News shared University of Cincinnati botanist Denis Conover's method for eliminating honeysuckle without using chemicals.
2026 Cincinnati Business Achievement Awards honorees announced
February 9, 2026
Presented by the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business Alumni Council, the 2026 Cincinnati Business Achievement Awards (CBAAs) will recognize awardees on March 5 at the Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel.
Will AI really replace your job?
February 6, 2026
As artificial intelligence seeps into more careers, some people wonder if any jobs will become obsolete in the coming years, according to 700WLW. Jeffrey Shaffer, director of Lindner College of Business’ Applied AI Lab, spoke with 700WLW on the future of AI in the workplace.