And now they are at an all time low in participation because times are tough, and people are scared to lose their jobs, for fear that they won't find another one...
http://www.conservativemyths.com/union-graph1.png
Ironically, when people are scared to unionize, it's probably the most important time to unionize because that's when we the workers are usually getting abused the most.
From my perspective, Union membership will only come back in certain sectors when a few things come into place...
1. When manufacturing returns
Unions advocating for balanced import laws will increase the likelihood of domestic manufacturing. As it stands we're going to be undercut by every foreign country that ignores environmental and worker laws. It will take trade barriers to shift manufacturing back here.
2. When Unions reform their mode of operation, and cease using their dues they mandate from members to meddle in political agendas that their members don't agree with
I agree that the Citizens United decision was a horrible one and should be reversed.
3. And only if the businesses involved don't offer something better to keep them out...
If businesses were offering better situations, we wouldn't need unions. Unions are a response to abuse by business.
The middle class jobs are decreasing, and instead the pay goes to the top tier earners instead of the majority of us. This is a trend that unions can combat.
People today, along with businesses know that the labor market is highly competitive, and to keep good employees businesses have done things, that in the past they may not have when qualified workers were in abundance...
So, a deeper understanding of what is going on in the workforce today is what progressives like you don't get, and probably never will if you keep trying to crudely use the Alinsky model of snark and insult to silence your opponents.
The workforce has more qualified workers than ever, yet the pay rates for most are decreasing even after they've saddled themselves with student loan debt.
As the old song says:
'You should get some better beats'
'and uh'
'Get some better rhymes'....
Working together is a better beat and better rhyme than undercutting your fellow worker and ultimately having them return the favor by undercutting you.