The Future of American Unionism: A Comparative Perspective

Abstract

The unions in advanced, industrialized societies are likely to face conditions in the coming decade that will be far less favorable than those in the decades immediately following World War II. Growing economic competition from newly industrializing nations, the onset of major structural reform and shrinking employment in a number of older industries, the shift to services, and some unfavorable demographic trends—all of these forces are likely to be operating in most of the advanced, democratic countries. While the responses of West European unions may tend to be similar to those in the United States, in some respects, important differences can also be anticipated. Differences in union institutions and tradition, as well as in bargaining systems and relationships with employers, help explain these likely divergences in development.