Labor Unions

Why Labor Unions Are Desperate to Pass EFCA - Summer 2009 - Vol. 21, No. 2 - available PDF file

Declining membership levels, combined with heavy campaign spending, has created significant financial problems for labor unions. Organized labor is betting its future on passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which will make it easier for unions to increase membership through the card check process.

RAISE the Bar for Union Employees - Summer 2009 - Vol. 21, No. 2 - available PDF file

A bill introduced in the 111th Congress called the RAISE (Rewarding Achievement and Incentivizing Successful Employees) Act would allow employers to pay their union workers productivity and performance-based wages.  While it seems absurd that an act of Congress would be required for an employer to pay bonuses or incentives to its most productive union employees, labor unions’ collective bargaining agreements currently forbid the practice.

Don't Confuse Me With the Facts - Fall 2008-Vol.20, No.2 - available PDF file

Organized labor doesn’t want to hear it, but the economic performance of right-to-work states eclipses non-right-to-work states by a significant margin.

This article explores organized labor’s multi-front offensive to influence the Democratic Party’s policies, all of which are designed to increase political power and reverse the trend in declining union membership.

Does being a member of a union increase a worker’s earning power? And who does union membership benefit more—the low-wage worker or the high-wage worker?

Get Wal-Mart! - Two Unions Back Attack - Fall 2007-Vol.19, No.2 - available PDF file

What is the real motive behind such organizations as Wal-Mart Watch and Wake Up Wal-Mart? Were they formed to ensure protection against labor abuses by the world’s largest retailer, or to solicit membership (and thus dollars) for the labor unions? This article explores who really funds these Wal-Mart witch hunters and which political camps support them.

ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) touts itself as a group whose goal is social justice and stronger communities for low- to moderate-income families. Do its ties to organized labor, as well as controversial practices highlighted recently in the media, truly epitomize that initiative?

In September 2005, a handful of labor unions (who were disgruntled with the AFL-CIO’s stance on organizing) formed ‘Change to Win’, an affiliation of seven unions and six million workers with a common agenda: to grow larger. Win ratios are up, organizing efforts are improving, and industries are (or at least should be) scared. While longterm effects can’t be accurately predicted, initial indications of CTW’s growth is positive.

In the Summer of 2005, the AFL-CIO lost 40 % of its membership as four large unions left to form the Change to Win Coalition. This article analyzes historical trends in union organizing activity and win ratio for all unions. In addition, the article charts the amazing success/growth of the Service Employees Union – the largest union in the US.

The United Auto Workers recently performed an “about face” when the union overturned an edict forbidding Marines who drive foreign cars or display pro- President Bush stickers from using one of its parking lots in Detroit.

In September 1991, over 600 hundred Teamsters went on strike at Diamond Walnut’s processing plant in Stockton, CA. After nearly 15 years of negotiations, the company and union have settled the dispute.

Faced with declining union membership rates, Big Labor is trying to eliminate secret ballot elections from the union election process. In its place, unions want “card checks” to be the norm, often subjecting workers to “home visitation” to sign union authorization cards that count as a “vote” in favor of unionization.

Union membership has been steadily declining over the past 20 years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, less than 13% of all wage and salary workers belong to a union. This analysis gives a state-by-state comparison of union membership as a percent of total employment.

The AFL-CIO is watching over the U.S. Congress and grading each senator and representative based on whether they vote “right” or “wrong” on key issues of importance to organized labor. An analysis of demographic characteristics unearths some interesting differences between the constituencies of the representatives that tend to vote for or against union-supported legislation.

Labor unions and trial lawyers were the largest contributors to Democratic Political Action Committees in the 2001-2002 elections cycle. What’s more, new data suggests the Teamsters largesse will increase in effort to reclaim the White House and Congress in 2004 for the Democratic Party.

Using the Walker Companies site optimization model, WISERsm, an analysis of union election activity in transportation, warehouse, and wholesale industries was completed from 1990 - 2002. The analysis reveals that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is leading all unions in total elections in these industries during the period.

According to recent study, union commitment begins early in life and more specifically in the home. The report supports the perception that the process of unionization begins long before the individual reaches the workforce

The pros and cons of Right to Work are constantly debated by Big Labor and its main opponent, the National Right to Work committee. This article compares growth statistics in right to Work states versus non-right to Work states.

A report released in October 2002 concluded that the Teamsters have cleaned up most of their organized crime past. The commissioned investigation and report chronicles the union’s history and how criminal elements began to exert their influences over the union in the early 20th century.

Seven unions are putting up a dogfight to void Oklahoma’s newly passed Right to Work law. The National Right to Work Foundation is in the state’s corner vowing to uphold the legislation.

Living wage laws are the latest political development designed to keep wages high for low-wage laborers. However, organized labor seems to be benefiting the most.

Labor unions and trial lawyers represent the top five contributors to Political Action Committees. The interesting thing is they both give the majority of their funds to democrats.

Since 1986, union membership as a percent of wage and salary employment has declined. This article presents statistics on membership levels over time, by sector of the economy.

A region-by-region comparison of union membership levels.

The percentage of union membership among private sector manufacturers is on the decline nationwide, with North Carolina at a modest 2.5%. Also presented are unionization rates for other states.

A comparison of union membership levels and changes among the world’s most unionized countries.

Results of recent union election activity, comparing certification and decertification results.

Although union membership has declined continuously in recent years, the Union of Needle Trades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) is achieving success. Includes a state-by-state comparison of union election results.

A three-year analysis of union election results. It compares the final 18-month tenure of Lane Kirkland and the initial 18-month tenure of John Sweeney as President of the AFL-CIO. Sweeney’s leadership brings an increase in the number of elections, union victories, and union winning percentage.

Data on union election activity in the ten states with the greatest level of activity. Also includes state-by-state comparison of election activity per 100,000 workers.

Analysis of needle trade unions and organizing successes. The study compares the success in organizing in counties with no previous union membership versus those with pre-existing unions.

In order to gain union representation an election petition has to be filed and then the union must be victorious in that election. However, a large percentage of election petition’s fail. A state-by-state analysis of election petitions give companies insight about where petitions are easily derailed and where there is less petition activity.

Union membership has declined; however, union influence has not necessarily diminished. Two strong arguments can be made to challenge the theory on loss of union power.

Although union membership has declined, election victories have increased. Two conclusions can be drawn from recent election data suggesting that unions are more efficient and stronger in their strategies.

Private sector union dues exceed $5 billion, and an estimated 70-80% of this is spent on political activities and other areas that have nothing to do with collective bargaining. This article explores the need for accountability by unions on political expenditures.

Non Right-to-Work (NRTW) states offer union proponents many advantages they don’t enjoy in Right-to-Work (RTW) states, one of which is a higher gross income level for union workers. However, on a cost of living-adjusted basis, workers in RTW states are actually in a better financial situation. Data are presented to support this analysis.

Once taxes and costs of living are factored into union pay, the question arises as to whether there is an advantage to union membership. In addition, with global competition and jobs being driven offshore these unionized facilities are target for shut down.

An analysis of the 1995 voting record of each member in the U.S. House of Representatives on 12 key legislative bills of significance to organized labor. With a few exceptions, congressmen from heavily unionized states favor pro-union legislation.

Union membership is declining due to the constant pressure of corporate downsizing, stagnant wage growth, and low wage competition from third world nations.

The Machinists (IAM), Steel Workers (USA), and Auto Workers (UAW) have announced intentions of merging into a powerful giant equipped with increased bargaining power, heightened union negotiating power, and lobbying power. Instead of fighting against each other, unions are now teaming up to take down corporate America.

Although President Clinton’s pro-labor legislation failed, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) instilled hope for organized labor. Their weapon against “Big Business” and Republicans is the Ten (J) injunction petition, which grants workers emergency relief from the courts.

Although union membership has declined and employers may have lessened concerns with union efforts, the ascendancy of John Sweeney to the presidency of AFL-CIO may signal a change, with significantly more spending on organizing efforts anticipated.

A state-by-state comparison of unionization levels.

There has been a drastic reduction in union strikes due to the more frequent utilization of corporate campaigns to achieve union objectives. Out-right strikes are now a distant option compared to the nuisance and cost effectiveness of non-strike attacks. Included are historical data on strikes and lost work days to strikes.

The concentration of right-to-work states is in the Southeast and West Central regions. However, 2/3 of the manufacturing workforce remains in non right-to-work states.

Union attempts to thwart use of mandatory overtime and eliminate the use of contract labor threaten to undermine the resurgence in US industrial competitiveness.

Despite the UAW strike and 10,000 workers walking off the job, Caterpillar managed to maintain business and customer service with an extraordinary game plan. The company’s successful strategy and plan to deal with the strike is profiled.

A comprehensive analysis of union elections covering the period 1984-1993, focusing on election activity and union win ratio in each 2-digit manufacturing SIC code.

With reductions in the defense budget, the closing of nuclear weapons facilities, and a state of international peace, a civil war arises among labor unions regarding which unions’ workers will be hired to clean up the mess created by the manufacture of nuclear weapons.

A state-by-state comparison of union election win ratios over the period 1984-1993.

An analysis of 41,000 union elections by unit size shows unions are far more successful at winning certification elections in small units than large ones.

Union membership has been declining for years, and now totals only 16% of the labor force, but union influence appears to be growing in selected industries, profiled in this article.

After years of decline, union membership experienced a period of growth in 1993. The article also highlights the significant pay differences between union and non-union workers, by race and sex.

A survey conducted among workers who had voted to join a union, on why they chose to do so.

The UAW violates its own agreement with new employees of the Mack Truck plant in Winnsboro, SC, by stripping them of their Supplemental Unemployment Benefits in order to divert these funds to more tenured UAW members.

An analysis of whether the BMW plant near Greenville, SC will serve as a magnet for the UAW, and whether this will cause other employers to look elsewhere for new plant locations.

A detailed analysis of union success in winning elections based on the degree to which the union focuses on its “core” industry, and the degree to which each union dominates the election activity within a particular industry.

Unions are focusing their efforts and funds on improving their organization. The analysis includes a state-by-state comparison of election data for the Southeastern states.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) rules post-retirement benefits other than pensions must be reported on an accrual basis. Companies with long term union contracts are especially concerned about the impact this accounting change will have on corporate earnings.

Before a company relocates, it has to bargain or negotiate with its workers and provide all necessary documentation that meets NLRB’s guidelines.

The National Labor Relations Board has ruled that an unlawfully discharged employee who threatened to kill a supervisor be reinstated because his actions were not so flagrant as to deny him employment.

The AFL-CIO is responding to the fall in union membership by “market segmentation” and “product diversification.” The platform theme of the “Union Yes” campaign consists of three elements: associate memberships, a scientific and much broader-based organizing program, and development of quality mass marketing programs.

Union membership is declining; however, should manufacturers make the assumption that the unions will not fight back? The answer is an emphatic "No", because unions are making the organization of non-union workers their top priority and giving employers two new problems to face.

Although the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and the United Steelworkers (USA) are two of the most aggressive unions in the Southeast, they are the least successful in winning decertification elections.

According to a Walker Companies analysis, the summer is the most prevalent time for unions to file representation election petitions. The analysis shows petition filings by month for a two year period.

The AFL-CIO Organizing Institute trains workers to launch organizing campaigns. The Institute is a coalition of five unions.

The Walker Companies publish a confidential AFL-CIO analysis of union election results, and compiles our own analysis of election results which clearly disputes the AFL-CIO findings.

“A Union Analysis of Company Vulnerability” is a 5-page questionnaire used by the International Association of Machinists (IAM) to assess company vulnerability to an organizing campaign.

State-by-state and union-by-union analysis of election results for nine Southeastern states, covering the period 1/88-8/89.

This case study on the United Steelworkers Union shows the number of elections, elections won and geographic area of concentration.

An analysis of union election activity indexed to employment concentration for each manufacturing 2 digit SIC.

Unionized companies definitely pay a premium for labor, with higher wages and more expensive benefits than non-union employers.