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
Lindner graduate students shine in international simulation competition
November 10, 2025
Five master’s of information systems (MS IS) students took home fifth place out of 23 universities at the International ERPsim Competition hosted by HEC Montreal during the recent spring semester. The competition tests students’ knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and their ability to adapt to challenging business problems.
Sugar overload killing hearts
November 10, 2025
Two in five people will be told they have diabetes during their lifetime. And people who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease. One of the deadliest dangers? Diabetic cardiomyopathy. But groundbreaking University of Cincinnati research hopes to stop and even reverse the damage before it’s too late.
Is going nuclear the solution to Ohio’s energy costs?
November 10, 2025
The Ohio Capital Journal recently reported that as energy prices continue to climb, economists are weighing the benefits of going nuclear to curb costs. The publication dove into a Scioto Analysis survey of 18 economists to weigh the pros and cons of nuclear energy. One economist featured was Iryna Topolyan, PhD, professor of economics at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business.