DPE Releases New Publication on White Collar Employees
Report Reflects Dramatic Changes in America's Work Force

Washington, DC – Current Statistics on White Collar Employees, 2000 Edition is a new publication from the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE). The report paints a statistical portrait of the labor force, including its changing composition; employment gains, losses and projections; the rise and nature of contingent work arrangements; union membership and its financial benefits; trends in wages and salaries, and university and college education.

"Our report reflects the dramatic changes in America's work force," said Paul E. Almeida, President of the Department for Professional Employees. "Once predominantly male and blue collar, it is now mostly white collar and almost equally comprised of men and women."

Highlights of the analysis include the following facts:

• White collar workers accounted for almost 60% of the work force in 1999 while blue collar workers comprised less than 25%. The percentage of white collar workers is expected to increase while the blue collar percentage continues to decline.
• The service sector accounted for over three-quarters of all U.S. employment at the end of the twentieth century.
• Professional occupations have the largest projected occupational growth.
• White collar work predominates among black, white and Hispanic workers, and among women.
• In 1999, almost 25% of all contingent workers were professionals.
• The labor movement is now almost 40% female.

The publication is a valuable resource for academic institutions and local libraries, union officers and staff, and anyone interested in the work force. The cost per issue is $5.00, postage paid; quantity prices are available upon request. Call Paula McKenzie at 202-638-5670 to place an order.

The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO represents 23 affiliated national and international unions comprising over four million white collar workers. DPE was chartered in 1977 in recognition of the dramatic rise in professional and technical employees among union members.

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