SAN FRANCISCO – (INT) - Unions remain an integral part of California’s labor force, but they aren’t as strong as they once were.

Nearly 2.4 million workers belonged to a union last year. They represent 17.1% of California’s wage and salary workers. That compares to a nationwide average of 11.8%.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that California ranked seventh in the nation in union membership.

Story Date: April 3, 2012