The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, which killed 146 workers including the author's Great Aunt Fannie Lansner, catalyzed important reforms in workplace safety and unions. Over a century later, the structure of labor in the U.S. shows concerning trends, with strikes accounting for significant workdays lost in 2022-24 but a continuing decline in union membership. As of 2024, there are only 14.2 million union members, the second-lowest since 1973, though some states like Texas have seen increases amid a general downturn in organized labor presence nationwide.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, which claimed the lives of my Great Aunt Fannie and 145 others, sparked significant changes in workplace safety regulations and union movements.
Despite a surge in strikes during recent years, union membership continues its long decline, with 14.2 million members in 2024, the second-lowest since 1973.
California leads in union membership but has reached an 18-year low, reflecting a broader trend of organized labor losing ground across many states.
While some states saw increases in union membership during the pandemic, the overall trend has been downward, with organized labor losing over 321,000 members since 2019.
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