Unions in the 21st Century

Abstract

There have been no specific causes as to why declines in unionization have occurred over the past 20 or 30 years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Surveys indicate that between 1961 and 1984, a significant number of employees in unions declined to 51 % from 73%. This decline was among production employees within metropolitan areas, and dipped to 12% from 17% for non-supervisory clerical workers. It has been found that declines in union membership can be attributed to employment shifts, and that job change has different affects depending on if the shift entails an employee change. Unions have been fighting to maintain both membership and public approval.

Although union approval declined until 1981, people's attitudes toward organized labor never became negative. This study has found that the percentage of the general public that approves of unions has increased recently in many important areas.

The key to success of unions in the 21st Century seems to lie in the creation of a cooperative atmosphere between organized labor and management. In order to do so, unions must realize and address issues of importance to the changing work force and give voice to the skill demands of workers, more women in the work force, and the current health care crisis.

The 21st Century holds in store for unions an image of reduced health care costs, greater participation by previously unorganized segments of the work force, and better understanding and an adaption to technological changes. All of these things will help corporations keep their costs lower and retain more employees, leading to greater job security, improved relations between labor and management, and more satisfied workers.