This 7 page paper begins by stating the purpose and the research methodology for the study. The Analysis begins with statistical data regarding the decline in union membership since the 1950s with the most recent data being reported for 2003. Some demographics of union membership, industry and geographic regions are provided. Some of the many causes of declining membership are discussed as are the tactics unions are using today. The writer comments about the future of the union in the conclusion. Statistical data are included. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Name of Research Paper File: MM12_PGuni.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
union membership has declined and if it has, by how much? Secondly, if union membership is in significant decline, what are unions doing to change the trend? This then leads
to the question: What is the future of unions in the U.S.? Research Methodology: A comprehensive search of the Internet will be performed. An emphasis will be placed on
official documents, on legitimate publications and on appropriate-cited Internet databases. Analysis Since the mid-1950s, membership in labor unions in the United States has steadily declined (Lipset and Katchanovski, 2001).
In 1953, 32.5 percent workers in non-agricultural jobs belonged to a union, in 1999, 14.0 percent were members (Lipset and Katchanovski, 2001). In terms of numbers, there were 21 million
union members in 1979 and 16.5 million members in 1999 (Lipset and Katchanovski, 2001). In 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported further declines. In 2002, 13.3 percent of workers
belonged to a union and in 2003, that proportion dropped to 12.9 percent (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004). Numbers of members dropped to 15.8 million in 2003 (Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 2004). The Bureau of Labor Statistics also provides the following information about membership in unions as of 2003: * There are more male members than female (Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 2004). * Of Whites, Asians, Hispanics, Latinos and Blacks, Blacks are more likely to belong to a union (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004). * Less than 10 percent of
private sector workers are union members (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004). * About 40 percent of government workers belong to unions (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004). * about 40 percent
of workers in protective service occupations, in education, training and library occupations are union members (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004). Since 1983, the number of public sector employees joining a