Union Statistics

In 1945 around 1% of all US workers participated in a union election every year. By the 1970s, the rate was only 0.78%, and by 1980 only 0.29%.

The drop in union participation is even more apparent in minority groups. While for white workers the decline was around 5% the drop for Hispanic workers was almost double that at around 9%.

While the rate of elections was declining so was the win rate of these elections. In the 1940's about 80% of elections resulted in a win for the workers, in the 1970s 50%, and by the 1990s even less.

While in the 1950's the Federal government was more likely to side with union workers in modern times most settlements favor the employer. In recent years the NLRB have also been pressured to close unions. 

The difficulties don't stop at winning union elections. For those workers who do win their elections the chances of actually receiving a union contract dropped from 85%  to 50%.

As a result of all these things, unfair labor practices have skyrocketed. In 1950 the government documented some 4000 cases, in 1980 the number war around 30,000