Unionism in the private sector is not just down; it’s almost out. Membership has been falling steadily for half a century and is now circling the drain, with membership at 7.5% of the workforce. In 1953 it was 36%.
This disastrous decline has been partly masked by the simultaneous growth of unions in the public sector. While private unions sank, public ones climbed from near-zero in the 1950’s to around 36%, where it has held steady since 1980. Decline has also been disguised by the growing political power of the union movement, as its electoral organizing skills have improved even as membership organizing has languished.
Why the decline? Why have private sector workers stopped joining unions?
The unions have a ready answer: it’s too hard to organize because employers cheat. They scare and intimidate and fire workers who try to organize. Continue reading ‘Who Is Killing The Unions?’
Mister Moleman and his Friends 