Union membership rises in 2025 as IAFF adds 88 new Locals

The IAFF added 88 new Locals in 2025, bringing more than 10,000 new members into the union and pushing total membership to 363,636 fire fighters and emergency medical workers. 

That growth mirrors a broader trend. According to the 2025 union membership report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 463,000 Americans organized last year, bringing total union representation in the United States to 16.5 million workers. 

Public sector workers – like fire fighters – organized at higher rates than private sector employees, with 32% of public employees now unionized.

The data shows 11.2% of all wage and salary workers in the U.S. are now covered under union contracts – the highest rate in 16 years. 

“The IAFF is working every day to give fire fighters a voice in the workplace,” said General President Edward Kelly. “When our membership grows, our ability to secure safer working conditions and stronger protections grows with it.” 

The new BLS report shows nearly half of all new union members came from southern states, which have historically enacted strict anti-labor laws that make organizing more difficult. The IAFF, through its “Organize the South” campaign, saw strong growth in the Southern U.S. during 2025 – including nine new Locals in Texas.  

Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee also saw multiple new IAFF Locals formed.  

Union workers covered by contracts earn 12% more on average than non-union workers, according to data from the Economic Policy Institute. Union workers also report safer working environments, and more than 90% of organized employees have access to an employer-sponsored retirement account.  

The IAFF has already added multiple new Locals in 2026, including nine in January alone. Fire departments interested in forming an IAFF affiliate can visit iaff.org/join to learn more.