CBS 58

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- An annual Labor Day tradition is underway in downtown Milwaukee. The Laborfest Parade kicked off Monday, Sept. 1, as unions are struggling more than they have before in Wisconsin.

The parade route stepped off at Zeidler Union Square where workers and political figures marched toward Maier Festival Park -- as they do every year. But what's different in 2025 is union membership in Wisconsin are at an all-time low.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6.4% of wage and salary workers in the state are in a union. That is the lowest it's ever been down from 7.4% last year.

Wisconsin is well below its neighbor states as Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois all have union membership rates of either 13% or 14%.

CBS 58 asked a couple of the laborers how they bel

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