Union membership in Wisconsin plummets in wake of GOP measures

[n2doc]

Madison— Union membership in Wisconsin collapsed in 2015, falling well below the national average for the first time and thinning the ranks of the labor movement by tens of thousands of workers in one of its former bastions.

The number of dues-paying workers within the state’s labor groups has fallen steadily since GOP Gov. Scott Walker signed his signature legislation, 2011’s Act 10, which repealed most collective bargaining for most public workers. But new federal statistics show that trend intensified in 2015 after Walker and GOP lawmakers followed up on Act 10 by approving so-called right-to-work legislation last spring.

That measure blocked unions and private employers from reaching contracts that required workers to pay labor fees.

In 2015, 8.3% of Wisconsin workers, or 223,000 in all, were members of unions. That was down sharply from the 306,000 people, or 11.7% of the state’s workforce, who belonged to unions in 2014.


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http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/union-membership-in-wisconsin-plummets-in-wake-of-gop-measures-b99660200z1-366857061.html

[Skittles]

1. they're probably already feeling the damage

when oh WHEN will people understand that repukes are ANTI-WORKER?

[NashuaDW]

3. This IS NOT due to the new law ....

From the article: "But Jones said he wasn’t convinced that the numbers mainly reflected the effects of the right-to-work law. That’s because that law won’t affect private-sector unions here until the end of contracts in place at the signing of the law in March."

Obviously unions would like to blame the law, but I think unions have failed to convince people that it's in their best interest to join.

My father was a lifetime CWA member but none of extended family see any value in union membership.

Unions are losing the hearts and minds of the young people and given the choice - they don't join.

[saturnsring]

4. those who dont know history are doomed to relive it

[saturnsring]

5. mmmm i cant either maybe i can spend one of my five weeks of vacation with my family trying

to find value in my union membership

[Omaha Steve]

6. I don't know why a smart Dem never snuck one by in a must pass US bill

There is only one law in US law that makes right to work possible. Repeal Taft-Hartley Act in a huge must pass bill and oops, how did that happen.

OS

[saturnsring]

7. i dont understand why they would since there's no value in union membership

Westminster hospital nurses ratify union contract with raises, shift breaks, patient safety training