The unionization rate for private-sector workers increased by 0.1 percentage point to 6.3 percent in 2020, reflecting the net effect of declines in both the number of union members in the private sector and the steep drop in private- sector employment.
So, do labor unions have a future in the US? Most analysts answer no. The downward trend in private sector union density shows no sign of abating, much less of turning around. Unions have failed to get the Congress to enact labor law reforms that would make organizing easier.
The overall decline in union membership is due in part to the changing job landscape. Service and healthcare jobs are some of the fastest-growing, but their unionization rates have not increased apace. The manufacturing sector, which historically has made up the majority of unions, has been on the decline for decades.
The labor movement in the United States grew out of the need to protect the common interest of workers. For those in the industrial sector, organized labor unions fought for better wages, reasonable hours and safer working conditions.
The non union people, management typically, generally dislike unions for the difficulty they cause in their ability to work with their staff to do their jobs. Unions create an adversarial relationship between staff and managers. They take away the ability to reward good work and punish bad work.
Unite the Union is the best Union to Join to help ensure you get the best representation in the workplace.
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Ten good reasons to join Unite
Unions are more important today than they ever were. It is no secret that in a global economy, the nature of work is changing and some employers resist unions. ... In addition to ensuring fairness and equitable treatment, many employers recognize that there are advantages to offering workers better wages and benefits.
The Bottom Line. Unions have undoubtedly left their mark on the economy and continue to be significant forces that shape the business and political environments. They exist in a wide variety of industries, from heavy manufacturing to the government, and assist workers in obtaining better wages and working conditions.
In general, most economists say, the ability of labor unions to raise wages above competitive levels has a net negative impact on society.
The average annual cost of union dues is $400, or about two hours of pay per month. There is a disinclination of unions toward the contingent worker. Unions want full-time dues payers.
While private-sector union membership fell from 9% in 2000 to 6.2% in 2019, it edged up slightly to 6.3% in 2020. Similarly, public-sector membership dropped from 36.9% in 2000 to 33.6% in 2019, then rose to 34.8% in 2020. Union membership rates in the private sector declined nearly every year since 1983.
GET MEMBERS TALKING
Use video clips. Give people—especially volunteers—recognition for what they have accomplished for the union. Break down into small groups on occasion to get more people participating. Have members do skits or role-playing to deal with challenges facing the union.
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