One theory.
At their peak in the 1950s, unions represented about 35 to 40 percent of the nation's private-sector employees. That number has declined steadily over the last 50 years. Today, about 7 or 8 percent of all private-sector employees, and just over 12 percent of all U.S. civilian workers, are represented by a union.
With that decline has come a corresponding decline in union revenues – and in organized labor's political power and influence.
According to union leaders, the decline in membership is due to flaws in labor law, staunch employer opposition, or both. Others believe labor union membership has dropped for other reasons, such as:
- Improved wages, benefits and work conditions
- Growth in the service-sector economy
- Backlash against union corruption and organizing tactics
- Failure of unions to prevent job loss
- Employment laws that make it easier for individual workers to address workplace problems
Whatever the reason ... the trend of declining union revenues (dues) and membership is a major reason Card Check is being pushed by organized labor.
Bottom line: Unions are businesses that require cash to sustain themselves. Card Check is a strategy for making it easier for unions to rebuild their membership rolls and improve their finances by collecting union dues from workers.
CLICK HERE to see why EFCA is a "solution" for a problem that arguably doesn't exist.