The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its annual report last week showing a drop in union membership. Just 10.3% of wage earners chose to belong to a union in 2021. Union membership dropped by nearly a quarter of a million workers across all industries. The data is even more revealing when looking at the difference in unionization between public and private sector employers. Private sector union membership dropped to just 6.1 percent of the workforce, the lowest rate since record keeping began after WWII.
The data shows a reversal of the anomalous report for the pandemic year of 2020. During the shutdowns of the pandemic response, union workers were less likely to be permanently separated or laid off. This skewed the 2020 report, which showed the first increase in union membership percentage in decades.
The Drop in Union Membership – Good News?
Certainly the drop diminishes union influence primarily through reduced financial resources caused by fewer dues payers. But don’t be fooled. Unions have known for some time they are in a fight for their survival. With a favorable Biden Presidential Administration in office, and union-centric legislation like the PRO ACT still making its way around the halls of Congress, the unions have not given up!
The Biden NLRB has begun a series of actions to reduce employers’ rights to fight back against forced unionization and reduce employees’ rights to self-determine. Companies must stay vigilant and aware of these political activities. Failure to do so can find it in the grasp of a union organizing campaign and no rights or ability to do anything to stop it.
NLRA Has You Covered
NLRA’s entire Advocate Team stays abreast of all the NLRB, DOL, and other agency and legal changes that affect our clients and potential clients. We stand ready to assist you in keeping your business union-free. If you have any knowledge, even rumors, of union activity in your ranks – reach out at once. The sooner you act, the better your chances of a favorable outcome!
Many employers think, well it isn’t much so I don’t want to bring it to the attention of everyone. They choose to not act early. It will continue, and without any counter action, there is nothing that will stop it from growing into a real issue. The unions are trying to survive. They will stop at nothing.
“Doesn’t the fight for survival also justify swindle and theft? In self defence [sic], anything goes.”
Imelda Marcos
Unions may not swindle or steal (although many union leaders have been convicted of those very crimes over the years!), but they do prescribe to the philosophy of anything goes. If they are coming after you, expect a fight. Even better, call NLRA and bring the fight to them! This is your business – not the union’s! Do not let them tell you how to run it.