Labor Day: Unions Have a Stake in Ending Minority Rule in the United States

[Judi Lynn]

SEPTEMBER 5, 2022

BY MARK WEISBROT

In 2021, just 10.3 percent of American workers were members of unions, less than half the proportion we had four decades prior. This collapse in union membership didn’t happen in Canada; it happened in the United States, for a number of reasons that were specific to this country, including unpleasant changes in labor law and the practices of corporations that have taken place here over the past 40 years.

Today, in more than 40 percent of union election campaigns, employers are charged with violating federal law, often for illegally firing workers for union activity.

The assault on labor has contributed greatly to soaring income inequality and stagnant living standards for workers in the United States. From 1979 to 2019, productivity (the income generated from an hour of labor) has grown by 60 percent; yet the typical worker’s real (inflation-adjusted) compensation rose by just 14 percent. But wages used to rise with productivity: from 1948 to 1979, productivity rose by 118 percent, and real compensation increased by 108 percent.

Now come Republicans and opponents of labor with accusations that unions are a “tool” of the Democratic Party. Never mind that Republicans have consistently opposedlegislation that would strengthen workers’ rights, increase their income (including increases in the minimum wage), or even provide them with health care (Medicare and Medicaid). Many unions are also multiracial organizations and cannot stomach the Republican Party’s growing commitment to racism.

More:
https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/09/05/labor-day-unions-have-a-stake-in-ending-minority-rule-in-the-united-states/

[KPN]

1. One of the more interesting facts in this article:

“The current 50-50 split in the Senate has 43 million more votes for the 50 Democrats than for the 50 Republicans.”

Good read. Thanks for posting.