10.2190/XLLB-QA7Q-82AE-JJ53 XLLBQA7Q82AEJJ53 0 UNION AND COMPARABLE WORTH: PROGRESS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=XLLBQA7Q82AEJJ53 1 ELIZABETH C. WESMAN The issue of comparable worth--equal wage for work of comparable value--has become an increasingly important concern of unions, especially those in the public sector and in female-dominated sectors of the economy such as health care. It is significant that at a time when the majority of unions is experiencing stagnation or a serious decline in membership, the unions most actively espousing comparable are enjoying a period of modest, but definite, growth. This article examines the role of labor unions in the comparable worth controversy. It reviews briefly union involvement in the administrative and legislative history of comparable worth, as well as significant federal court cases. Next, it considers the progress of unions in obtaining state and municipal comparable worth programs. Finally, the potential contribution of comparable worth to the future growth of labor unions in the United States is assessed.