By Richard H. Wessels
The statistics show a clear pattern. Union strength is on
the decline. Percentages in the private sector reveal that unions have gone
from a mid-1950s high-water mark of 35% of the private sector workforce to
about 6% today. That’s a big drop.
The number of union organizing petitions continue to fall,
although the pro-union NLRB is trying to prop unions up with quickie election
rules. Elections now are held within 27 days on average rather than 42 days
after a petition which was the average before the new rules. This makes it
easier for unions to win the few elections that are held these days.
For a whole host of reasons, unions are finding it
difficult to generate much interest. It is likely that this decline is irreversible and fundamental. There has
been a shift in our U.S. economy from heavy industry to service sector and
governmental involvement has made unions less essential, or at least has
addressed concerns that formerly led workers toward unions. Now, the answer to
the lead question. Yes, you still have to worry, although perhaps not as
much.
At our full day client seminar which was hosted by our Wisconsin
office this year (May 13), I presented a talk on “Top Ten Tips for Staying
Union Free.” It was pretty familiar stuff, mostly centered on good
communication and good supervision.
My final point at the Wisconsin seminar I suggest is worth
considering. It is my battle-tested standard and simple three step plan:
- Someone in your organization understands and is responsible for Wessels Sherman’s ABC’s of Staying Union Free;
- Your front-line supervisors are trained on the issue of union organizing and they are not afraid of it;
- You have a simple one-page union-free action plan.
I will email you (free of charge) all you need to know about
this three step approach for staying
union free. Contact me at (630) 377-1554 or email me at riwessels@wesselssherman.com.
