Why did union membership increase in 1954?

Union membership increased in 1954 due in part to post-World War II economic expansion, which created more jobs and strengthened the labor movement. The rise of the middle class and increased wages also contributed to workers seeking collective bargaining for better conditions. Additionally, legislation such as the Taft-Hartley Act, while aimed at limiting union power, inadvertently galvanized union organizing efforts as workers sought to protect their rights. This combination of economic factors and political climate ultimately led to a surge in union membership during this period.