Why has union membership been declining since the 1990's?

Question

Why has union membership been declining since the 1990's?

Answer 1

Too many are corrupt & don't represent their membership. Instead only represent the corrupt ambitions of the leadership.

Answer 2

Perhaps there's a reason or understanding in this:

Initially, unions worked hard to battle illegal actvities, and "muscle tactics" which had been traditionally used by many unscrupulous companies to bring their workforce 'to heel' and help them dominate over their minions. This was good news for the working man/woman who needed someone in their corner. Things improved...and the unions of the day can take credit for many of the improvements.

As time went on....the unions were able to do just about everything they could to assist their members. They began to back their workers (some...not all) who looked for more...for less. In the 70's, 80's and 90's...it became 'de rigeur' for a union member to give 60% of his/her efforts and expect 100% of their wages. Calling in sick when one wasn't sick, getting away with poor work attitude and behavior because "I've got the union backing me!" became the ethic of the workforce.

Unions got a black eye...for demanding TOO much...and begrudgingly giving back LITTLE.

Top that off with special and secret loans made with union funds....mismangement of retirement funds, etc. and the unions took even more damage to their reputations.

Today...it seems many companies have been pushed to the point of financial ruin by their agreements with unions. Consider GM's current problems.

Is it any wonder many of these companies have branches in foreign countries where they don't have do deal with North American unions and the North American work ethic?

Answer 3

Compaines are outscouring more and more work. So they are cuting head count ie..union members. Workers in unions for the most part make way more money then non-union workers. So compaines think they are saving money by going with non-union workers and moving jobs out of the USA...