Union membership in Pennsylvania is taking a major hit as public employees leave in record numbers.

This January, the state saw its highest rate of union opt-outs in three years, a shift that signals growing frustration among workers tired of union leadership that doesn’t represent their legitimate concerns.

Unlike previous years, this January’s increase in opt-outs was swift and widespread, spanning multiple sectors. Workers in healthcare, education, and public services are making the decision to walk away in increasing numbers. Among the hardest-hit unions are AFSCME Council 13 and SEIU 668, which both experienced substantial membership losses.

A significant factor in this surge was the Freedom Foundation’s extensive outreach efforts. Through a combination of targeted Christmas and New Year’s mailings, Pennsylvania workers were directly informed of their rights and given the tools to opt out. These personalized mailings provided crucial information about how union members could resign their memberships and stop paying dues.

Accompanying the large mailing campaign, the Freedom Foundation also launched a series of strategic email campaigns, reinforcing the message and ensuring public employees had direct access to resources at their convenience. These efforts helped thousands of workers take action and exercise their rights in the first month of 2025.

Pennsylvania workers are showing they no longer feel obligated to remain in unions that fail to advocate for them effectively. The shift is a clear indication that employees are weighing their options and choosing to take control of their own financial and workplace futures. As awareness of their rights spreads, more workers are expected to make similar moves in the months ahead.