Several factors have contributed to this decline in the prevalence of union s . For one, the composition of the US economy has shifted. More people now work in service industries, which traditionally have lower rates of unionization, than in the past, when the bulk of US workers held manufacturing jobs.

Since a higher wage rate equates to less work per dollar, unions often face problems when negotiating higher wages and instead will often focus on increasing the demand for labor. Unions can use several different techniques to increase the demand for labor, and thus, wages.

For those in the industrial sector, organized labor unions fought for better wages, reasonable hours and safer working conditions. The labor movement led efforts to stop child labor, give health benefits and provide aid to workers who were injured or retired.

1947

The overall decline of union membership is partly the result of the changing composition of jobs in the US. Healthcare, restaurant, and hospitality jobs are among the fastest growing and, historically, these industries that have not had high unionization rates.

In the history of America’s trade and labor unions, the most famous union remains the American Federation of Labor (AFL), founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers.

All India Trade Union Congress

If you resign from union membership and stop paying dues, and your public employer has collective bargaining, the union would still be required to continue to represent you fairly and without discrimination in all matters subject to collective bargaining, and you could not be denied any benefits under the labor …

As a union member, you are bound by the union’s constitution and bylaws, which in most unions provide that members who work during a lawfully-called strike can be fined. Such fines can be expensive and may be collectable in state court.