XI.3: The Growth of Labor Union Power

Share this page

The Growth of Labor Union Power

Organizations in general are growing in power.

In an earlier post, I discussed how governments are getting bigger and more powerful with time. In another post I showed how corporations are doing the same. But the truth is that organizations in general are increasing their power, and all for the same reasons. Even organizations whose supposed purpose is to help the “little guy” are growing in power and making more money for their leaders. For example, let’s look at the growth of labor union power.

First let’s acknowledge the positive side – labor unions have greatly enhanced our lives by eliminating child labor, enforcing more reasonable work hours, and requiring safer working environments. They should obviously be honored for these improvements to our society.

But there has long been a strong connection between big labor and organized crime as indicated in a report prepared for the White House in 1978:

At least four international unions are completely dominated by men who either have strong ties to or are members of the organized crime syndicate. … Convictions for misconduct have been sparse and when one corrupt official is removed another soon takes his place. … The cost is passed on to the consumer. (Organized Crime and the Labor Unions)

Today’s top labor union leaders make million dollar salaries from member dues, while the members’ salaries have more or less stagnated.

For example, the inflation-adjusted median income of American families only rose by two percent from 1969 to 1992. (Danziger et al. [1997] 2000, 351)

It is not merely a liberal extremist assumption that the top 1% of Americans is getting richer while middle class wages stagnate. For example, several authors have provided much statistical evidence for claims of widening income disparity. (Ackerman [1997] 2000, 1) (Harrison [1997] 2000, 123)

Where will all this leave your great-grandchildren?

It is a well-established fact that, while labor union power is growing, membership is shrinking. If labor union members’ salaries were doing any better than average, then why would labor union participation be shrinking?

Local communities could do a much better job than labor unions of bargaining with companies located within those communities.

And they could be even more effective if they could control local business licensing. And given that the cost of living and the availability of labor and jobs vary so much across the nation, local communities should also set minimum wages locally. Of course, all the above would require much more local authority than states now allow.

Which of the following statements do you believe?

  1. Wages are failing to improve because labor union participation is shrinking, or
  2. Labor union participation is shrinking because unions are failing to improve members’ wages.

And which do think could do a better job of collective bargaining with companies – labor unions or local communities.

This site is for discussing how to improve our political system. It is NOT for discussing party politics or political figures. So if you have a non-partisan question or comment, feel free to leave it below.

To top of page

Next post

Sources:

Ackerman, Frank. [1997] 2000. “Unequal Earnings: Theory versus Reality – Overview Essay”. In The Political Economy of Inequality, eds. Frank Ackerman, Neva R. Goodwill, Laurie Dougherty, and Kevin Gallagher. Canada: Island Press.

Danziger, Sheldon; Sandra Danziger; Jonathan Stern. [1997] 2000. “Summary of – The American Paradox: High Income and High Child Poverty”. In The Political Economy of Inequality, eds. Frank Ackerman, Neva R. Goodwill, Laurie Dougherty, and Kevin Gallagher. Canada: Island Press. (Originally published in Child Poverty and Deprivation in the Industrialized Countries 1945-1995. eds. Giovanni Andrea Corvica and Sheldon Danziger (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1997), 181-209.)

Harrison, Bennett. [1997] 2000. “Summary of – The Dark Side of Flexible Production”. In The Political Economy of Inequality, eds. Frank Ackerman, Neva R. Goodwill, Laurie Dougherty, and Kevin Gallagher. Canada: Island Press. (Originally published in Lean and Mean (New York: Guilford, 1994), Ch. 9,189-216.)

Organized Crime and the Labor Unions. Prepared for the White House in 1978. http://www.laborers.org/VAIRA_MEMO.html (Accessed Jul. 14, 2017).

29 thoughts on “XI.3: The Growth of Labor Union Power”

  1. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. A great read. I will definitely be back.

    Reply
  2. I’m no longer positive where you’re getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or working out more. Thanks for fantastic info I was on the lookout for this information for my mission.

    Reply
  3. This design is spectacular! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved
    to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job.
    I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

    Stop by my webpage: vpn special

    Reply
  4. I and also my pals were following the nice key points located on your web page then quickly I got a horrible feeling I had not thanked the web blog owner for those techniques. These people became consequently warmed to read through them and have pretty much been taking pleasure in those things. Thanks for being well thoughtful and then for settling on variety of extraordinary useful guides most people are really eager to understand about. Our honest apologies for not expressing appreciation to earlier.

    Reply
  5. Good website! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I might be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!

    Reply
  6. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.

    Reply
  7. Howdy would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a fair price? Many thanks, I appreciate it!

    Reply
  8. I have been browsing on-line greater than three hours nowadays, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It is beautiful price sufficient for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made good content material as you probably did, the web shall be much more helpful than ever before.

    Reply
  9. fantastic post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!

    Reply
  10. Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too fantastic.
    I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it.

    You make it entertaining and you still take care of
    to keep it smart. I can not wait to read far more from you.
    This is really a tremendous website.

    Reply
  11. Hello this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs
    use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
    I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Reply
  12. I am really inspired along with your writing abilities as smartly as with the format
    on your weblog. Is this a paid topic or did you
    customize it yourself? Anyway stay up the excellent high
    quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a nice weblog like this one
    these days..

    Reply
  13. It’s perfect time to make some plans for the longer term and it’s time to
    be happy. I’ve learn this publish and if I could I want to
    counsel you few interesting issues or tips.

    Perhaps you can write subsequent articles referring to this article.
    I desire to learn more things about it!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Verified by MonsterInsights