Unionization rates

Alberta's overall unionization rate is estimated at 23.5%. The public sector (public administration, education and health) makes up the bulk of this rate.

Estimated Union Coverage, 2012 Annual Averages
Total Employees ('000) Unionized Employees ('000) Percent Union Members
Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas 160.8 18.3 11.4%
Utilities 20.6 9.4 45.6%
Construction 166.7 32.3 19.4%
Manufacturing 131.8 23.6 17.9%
Services-producing sector 1,309.5 339.3 25.9%
Trade 295.9 35.3 11.9%
Transportation and warehousing 93.2 27.8 29.8%
Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing 84.7 5.7 6.7%
Professional, scientific and technical services 104.8 4.2 4.0%
Business, building and other support services 52.6 4.5 8.6%
Educational services 122.1 81.2 66.5%
Health care and social assistance 204.8 102.4 50.0%
Information, culture and recreation 60.4 12.9 21.4%
Accommodation and food services 124.2 4.4 3.5%
Other services 78.0 3.4 4.4%
Public administration 88.6 57.5 64.9%
Public Sector Rate 365.5 255.6 69.9%
Private Sector Rate 1,438.9 167.8 11.7%
All Industries 1,804.4 423.4 23.5%

Note: above statistics exclude self-employed Albertans.

Source: Statistics Canada