Why has interest and activity in unions dropped over the past two decades?
What will be an ideal response?
First, the public has been bombarded with news of irresponsible union strikes, unreasonable wage or salary demands, some union leaders’ criminal activities, and featherbedding situations. Some of these labor stoppages have had a very high profile, and many people have difficulty being sympathetic for striking union members whose average pay is more than they make. Such stories are poor publicity for unions.
Second, several economic factors, including intense international competition, poorly equipped factories, poor management, new technologies, and government regulations, have struck hardest at unionized industries (steel, autos, oil and gas, and mining). The deregulation of trucking, airlines, and communications has contributed to the erosion of union membership. Economic conditions and deregulation have caused the layoff of millions of union members, the permanent closing of unionized plants, and the relocation of plants and offices to nonunion locations. Mergers and acquisitions have eliminated union and nonunion jobs throughout the country.
Third, management in the 1970s began to resist union organizing efforts and large wage demands. They developed programs and strategies to fight back against unions. They also built new facilities in areas with less union strength.
Fourth, because the proportion of blue-collar jobs in the workforce has decreased and the labor force is now predominantly white-collar, unions have had to redirect organizing efforts to recruit more nurses, teachers, engineers, and other professionals. Results have been mixed. White-collar employees have for years felt superior to their blue-collar counterparts. Perhaps many believe that by joining a union they would lose status, prestige, and esteem. Educational achievements, mode of dress, language, and job locations within businesses typically give the white-collar employee a more common base with management than with blue-collar employees.
You might also like to view...
Who wrote “Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital” to discuss the decline in civic engagement among Americans?
A. Bill Gates B. Robert Putnam C. Lester Salamon D. Michael Moore
How would proceeds received in advance from the sale of nonrefundable tickets for the Super Bowl be reported in the seller's financial statements published before the Super Bowl?
a. Revenue for the entire proceeds. b. Revenue less related costs. c. Unearned revenue less related costs. d. Unearned revenue for the entire proceeds.
The encounter of people from different places, with different cultures and capabilities, is an important source of workplace diversity. Why is diversity an important aspect to understand?
a. Because societies tend to radicalize immigrants, placing them in either an “alien” or “minority” status b. Because its necessary in order to implement appropriate workplace language instruction c. Because it helps employers ensure that they are hiring the right employee for each of their locations d. Because diversity always includes conflict which must be managed
An experienced operations manager can tell at a glance whether an item should be classified as safety stock, anticipation inventory, or cycle stock
Indicate whether the statement is true or false