Reforming US Unions 1-24-25

Labor Unions began in the US in the 1880s when manual labor was dominant. Families had abandoned their family farms to move to cities. The adoption of the Steam Engine in factories consolidated manufacturing of goods. Immigrants provided labor in the 1800s to build the railroads powered by Steam Engines. The Gasoline Engine had been developed to provide tools that required less physical effort. The automobile had been developed and would later be used to move goods to market. 

The population of the United States in 1880 was 50,189,209. This was a 30.2% increase from the 1870 census.

Logging provided lumber to build homes. Trees were moved by water and rail using ox carts to drag trees over rails. Steel was being used to build factories, offices and apartment buildings.

The Titans who built industries were not celebrated, but were despised. Most employees earned $1 per day and their living conditions were not lavish. They wanted more money. Employee “on-the-job” injuries were not covered by their employers.

Unions adopted an adversarial relationship with their bosses and resorted to violent strikes. Companies hired Pinkerton Guards to protect their factories.

Unions continued to use the adversarial approach for the next 100 years. NAFTA allowed companies to off-shore their manufacturing to create a global supply chain. Now that global model has resulted in a reduction of manufacturing jobs in the US and union employment dropped from 33% in the 1950s to 10% in 2024.

Union membership in the United States has been declining since 1983. In 2023, 10% of the workforce was in a union, which is a new low. 

Trends in union membership

1950s: Union membership peaked at one-third of the workforce 

1983: The first year comparable data were reported, with a union membership rate of 20.1% 

2022: Union membership plateaued at 10.1% 

2023: Union membership dropped to 10%, a new low 

US companies have adopted Lean Management to form teams that allows employees to improve efficiency and productivity. Lean Teams are functioning in non-union manufacturing plants. Unions will continue to be avoided. Unions need to drop their adversarial past and embrace Lean Management. Unions should endorse automation, efficiency and productivity and Lean Teams.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader