New Series on White Collar Workers Released
Women's Economic Status Addressed in Each Publication

Washington, DC — The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) has released a new series of publications on the professional and technical work force. All five publications present comprehensive portraits of vital aspects of the white collar work force.

"Women's economic status is addressed in each of the publications," said Pamela Wilson, Editor of the Series. "The two publications that offer the most data on women in the work force are: Salaried and Professional Women: Relevant Statistics, 2000 Edition and Current Statistics on Scientists, Engineers and Technical Workers."

The first publication in the series, The Professional and Technical Work Force: A New Frontier for Unions, finds that unions are growing among the new economy work force. The report surveys America's rapidly expanding professional and technical occupations and the development of unions within them. The 99-page report provides an introduction to a new labor movement that is attracting a growing number of professional, technical and administrative workers who seek a voice at the workplace and in the new economy. Individual sections of the report discuss: teachers and college professors; librarians and library paraprofessionals; health care professionals and technicians; professional performing artists; scientists and engineers; science and engineering technicians; the computer-related professions; social service professionals; and broadcast and telecommunications technicians professional and technicians. (Cost: $12)

The second publication, Current Statistics on White Collar Employees, 2000 Edition, paints a statistical portrait of the work force, including its changing composition; employment gains, losses and projections; the rise and nature of contingent work arrangements; union membership and its financial benefits; and trends in wages and salaries, as well as university and college education. (Cost: $7.50)

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 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 third publication, Salaried and Professional Women: Relevant Statistics, 2000 Edition, offers analysis and statistical data on women in the work force. The report examines the world of work for women, including their work force participation and occupational distribution, their numbers and earnings in selected white collar occupations, and their increased participation in unions and higher education. (Cost: $7.50)

Among the highlights:

• In 1999, women accounted for 46.5% of the labor force. They constitute the majority of workers in the two most rapidly growing occupational categories: the professional and technical occupations.
• While gender differences in labor force participation and occupational distribution are diminishing, women still receive substantially less pay than men in all occupational categories. And because women are paid less when they work, so they receive smaller pensions (and Social Security checks) when they retire, compounding the inequity.
• Women's college enrollment now exceeds that of men. In fact, women have been earning more Bachelor's degrees than men since 1982 and they have been earning more Master's degrees than men since 1981.
• The median wages of women who are union members are 26% more than those of women who are not union members. Today, almost 40% of all union members are women.

The fourth publication, Current Statistics on Scientists, Engineers and Technical Workers: 2000 Edition, offers a comprehensive picture of current and projected employment, unemployment, earnings, union membership, as well as university and college education among these employees. (Cost: $7.50)

Highlights of the analysis include:

• Scientists and engineers currently account for about 25% of all professionals.
• Approximately 80% of the increase in science and engineering jobs will occur in computer-related occupations.
• The five occupations expected to grow most rapidly in the U.S. economy between 1998 and 2008 are all computer-related. The top three - computer engineers, computer support specialists and systems analysts - are also among the occupations with the largest projected job growth through 2008.
• As in other occupations, women and minorities in science, engineering and technician occupations are more likely than men to be found at the lower salary ranges.

The last publication in the series, The Service Sector: A Statistical Portrait, 2000 Edition, examines growth in service sector employment and projections for the future, earnings in service sector industries, union membership and its financial benefits, and the service sector's increasingly important role in the nation's trade balance. (Cost: $7.50)

Highlights include:

• In 1950, 45% of the work force was employed in the service sector. By the end of the twentieth century, the service sector accounted for more than 80% of all civilian non-farm employment.
• This dramatic increase in the service sector is expected to continue. The service sector will remain the dominant source of growth in employment and output between 1998 and 2008.
• The fastest growing industry in the entire economy, and the third fastest growing in terms of output, is the computer and data processing services industry.
• Union jobs in goods-producing and service sector industries pay more than non-union jobs.

Each edition is a valuable resource for union officers and staff, academic institutions, libraries and anyone interested in the economy. Cost per issue includes postage and a quantity price is available upon request. Call Paula McKenzie at 202-638-5670 to place an order.

The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) represents 23 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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