In past years, employment rates have been dropping dramatically leaving it hard for people to find jobs, especially younger, inexperienced people. Over the past few years, employment rates have been rising, but the number of Union workers have dropped. It’s essential for an employer to provide compensation for lost wages, particularly in industries where job insecurity is prevalent.

     The total number of Union members fell to 14.3 million last year despite the fact that overall employment rose by 2.4 million. More and more people have been looking for non-union jobs. Even Unions that have stayed strong throughout the years have dropped in numbers. As many teachers and police officers lost their jobs, the number of government workers in unions have dropped by 234,000.

“I would not want a union job. Unions seem to ask for too much and they always seem to protest against something,” said Emily Platz (‘16). Unions have started turning people away with new laws and regulations. Unionization dropped 9.1% from its previous 11.3% when the right to work law took effect. Wisconsin, Indiana and other states that passed similar laws experienced decline in unionization also.

“People are unsatisfied with the union’s decisions, so they decide to leave,” said Gwendolyn Bugglin-Borer (‘16). Unions have job and wage security, but people tend to look past that. “Even though Unions offer many benefits, the hard work rules and contracts turn people away,” said Gary Valentine. If Unions don’t find a way to attract more people, unionization will continue to steadily decline in future years.