A Note on the Severity of the Decline in Union Organizing Activity

Abstract

Using data on representation elections conducted by the National Labor Relations Board from 1975 to 1987, the authors examine the extent of the recent decline in union organizing activity. An analysis of elections for selected unions and in major industry categories shows no widespread recovery from the sharp drop in organizing that occurred from 1981 to 1982. Although union success rates in new units have been fairly constant, the low number of new members recruited through elections points to a continuation of the downward trend in union density.