Americans Overwhelmingly Reject Unions
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Kartch
4 APRIL 2008
202-785-0266
Americans Overwhelmingly Reject Unions
United Auto Workers membership plummets 14 percent in one year
Washington, D.C. — Today, the Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF), a non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting workers rights, commented on the recent membership report filed by the United Auto Workers (UAW) which indicates a 14 percent drop in membership in just one year.
With private sector union membership at an all time historic low, at around 7.5 percent, AWF policy director Brian Johnson says this is a trend he expects to see continued. “Most workers know that they don’t need a union to own their own home, own their own health care, own their own retirement, or own their own a small business,” said Johnson. “At a time when union membership is at an all time low, union bosses are tightening their grip on members and doing all they can to secure their constant stream of funding – union dues.”
While Johnson contends unions are loosing their grip, others maintain that union membership results in higher wages – Johnson does not agree. When asked about this issue, he said, “Look, if you assume the average union member is forty-five plus years old, with that comes years of experience, talent, and expertise that naturally increase their earning power – union or not. Comparing union members to the entire workforce is like comparing apples to oranges; it just doesn’t work!”
In response to falling membership numbers, UAW President Ron Gettlefinger said, “It seems every time we [the UAW] win elections, the National Labor Relations Board decides to change the rules.” However, Johnson claims this is not the case. “The real issue is workers are blatantly rejecting the UAW. With a 14 percent one year decline, it is clear that the UAW and all unions are on the way out.”
Press & Talk Radio Alert:
To schedule an interview with Brian Johnson, call 202-785-0266 or email jkartch@atr.org
