Job Crisis Takes toll on Union Membership

With the economy hemorrhaging jobs—more than 3.3 million jobs lost in 2009—the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show union membership in 2009 dropped slightly, from 12.4 percent of the workforce to 12.3 percent.

Nationwide, union membership dropped by 771,000, to 15.3 million in 2009, according to the BLS.
The recession eliminated jobs across the private sector, but was felt most deeply in manufacturing, transportation and construction—the nation’s economic backbone and heavily unionized sectors of the economy.

The loss in union membership, says AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, is another indicator of the terrible toll the economic crisis is taking on the nation’s middle class—not just union members.

Full article on the AFL-CIO Now Blog here.

Comments

[Mr. Nelson]

While we support trade on fair and equitable basis and I would add with free nations Unfortunately what we continue to see is the way a Nation treats its own People is how it will treat other Nations and when you look at some of the practices engaged in the domestic policies of nations that are our trading partners that the average American would fine repugnant. The average American would fine as antithetical to the concept of Human liberty coming from a creator rather than a central Government. I think you can understand why the United States has employers like Wes Smith and others in this Country that try and provide a humane and decent job for their workers so they can pursue their happiness. Why we are at a distinct disadvantage is because we are a good and decent Country. When competing or trading with other nations that have no regard for the rights of their People except as pawns in the political game or to be used in a strategy to De industrialize the United States. This is a problem, and until we can re industrialize this Country we will continue to have job loss and separation of the classes.

[Sital]

“The recession or its remnants are going to be with us for many years as far as job creation is concerned." Many employers lost their job due to economic slowdown but recession didn't affect “Education and Healthcare” field. And these two fields look very relevant to women. So we can give stress to make career in these two fields to overcome this recession. I came to known one job portal which is totally dedicated to female job seekers http://naukriforwomen.com According to me it's a good step towards women empowerment......