Historically, American unions were known for looking out for the interests of “old-timers”, writes walterolson in a guest essay. But he says “today’s unions have travelled a long way towards embracing aspirations of equality and diversity”
of successful union drives at an Amazon warehouse in New York City, an Apple Store in suburban Baltimore and scattered Starbucks outlets, there is talk of the resurgence of American unions. Supporters say labour organisations are securing wins that finally will turn around their long decline. Maybe so. Curiously they have begun to benefit from their growing popularity among young, well educated and aspirational types. But there are reasons for caution.
Meanwhile private unions are seeing their clout diminish. Both they and their public counterparts struggle to recruit sufficient joiners to make up for the dues-paying members they lose each year. In sheer numbers, thePublic opinion isn’t the problem. Pew and Gallup both report an upward trend in unions’ popularity . But recent decades show that poll respondents may view unions favourably without showing much interest in joining one themselves.
There is an obvious pattern. Many of these jobs attract a generation whose members often have strong opinions on social issues, and perhaps see the workplace as more than just the vehicle for a paycheque. Public opinion on unions shows a notable split by age, with younger Republicans, for example, more favourably disposed toward unions than their elders. Some graduates today see unions as admirable vehicles for striving toward greater equity, among other social goals.
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