Labor Union Strength Continues Its Decline in the United States, but Remains a Factor in Certain Sectors. The membership rate, and thus influence, of labor unions in the United States and in many other long$-$industrialized countries has been on the decline in the private sector. However, even in the United States, there continue to be

companies in certain sectors $($e$.$g$.,$ automobile manufacturers, health care, education, airlines$)$ where labor unions represent a large share of employees and thus play a major role in the operation and success of those companies. In each of these situations, effective labor relations are crucial for both companies and workers, as well as for society. In

nonunion companies, employers that do not have effective employee relations are more likely to face union organizing efforts. Also, as we saw in the chapter opener, workers can take collective action without formal union representation as a possible means of improving their jobs.

QUESTIONS

$1.$ Many people picture labor union members as being men in blue$-$collar jobs in manufacturing plants. Is that accurate?

Are there certain types of jobs where an employer can be fairly certain that employees will not join a union? Give

examples.

$2.$Why do people join labor unions? Would you be interested in joining a labor union if given the opportunity? Why or

why not? As a manager, would you prefer to work with a union, or would you prefer that employees not be

represented by a union? Explain.

$3.$What led to a change in labor relations at Chrysler's Dundee engine plant? What was the nature of the change, and do

you think it is an important and sustainable change?

$4.$What role do $($or can$)$ labor unions play in low$-$wage countries such as Bangladesh?