Local union membership declines
JANESVILLE — While union membership in the United States last year rose by the largest amount in a quarter-century, membership in Janesville-based unions plummeted.
The biggest reason is job losses in the area’s manufacturing sector.
Between 2000 and 2008, membership in unions with Janesville addresses dropped by 54 percent, according to a Gazette analysis of U.S. Department of Labor statistics. Last year’s drop was 33 percent.
The freefall was fueled by significant losses in the city’s largest union: United Auto Workers Local 95, which draws most of its membership from the now closed General Motors assembly plant in Janesville.
In 2000, Local 95 reported that it had nearly 7,000 members. At the end of 2008, that number was down to 2,555, and it undoubtedly will fall further when 2009 numbers are tabulated later this year.
As an amalgamated union, Local 95 represents industries that range from manufacturing to health care to financial services. Still, Local 95 officials expect membership will continue to drop as GM sheds or transfers workers.
“The UAW has been a dominant force in the Janesville area for so many decades, but its presence is essentially gone,” said David Newby, president of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, a federation of 850 labor organizations in the state.
“It’s a major loss, but the real tragedy is the loss of jobs with good pay and benefits. It’s not because of anything these people did or didn’t do. What we’re seeing are the results of decades and decades of complacency by the automakers.”
Decade of decline
Tracking union membership at the local level is difficult, Newby and other union officials said. Workers often travel for their work, particularly in the case of trade union jobs, and unions tend to be over wide geographical regions.
In addition, the labor department’s numbers include retirees.
For it’s analysis, the Gazette focused on unions with Janesville addresses.
In addition to Local 95, labor department statistics indicate membership in Janesville-based building and construction trade unions fell 41 percent from 2000 to 2008.
Teamsters Local 579 went from 1,329 members in 2000 to zero in 2008, but that’s because Janesville-based Teamsters are now members of Local 695 in Madison. In 2007, the last year in which Local 579 reported members, its roll was 41 percent less than it was in 2000.
The local International Association of Machinists union opened the decade with 526 members and closed with 485. In 2006, membership spiked when Local 1197 in Beloit merged with the Janesville-based Local 1266.
Still, Newby said, the overall numbers reflect a decline that can be traced to 1983, when 20.1 percent of the U.S. work force belonged to a union.
“I don’t think the local union movement itself is lacking,” said Ivan Collins, president of the Rock County Central Labor Council, an affiliation of local AFL-CIO unions. “There are certainly things going on at the organizing level that aren’t that well publicized.
“But when you look at the membership numbers, there is a decline due to the loss of manufacturing and the state of the economy.”
Newby noted that Wisconsin shared in the national membership increase in 2008, when Wisconsin unions picked up 20,000 new members and grew from 14.3 percent of the state work force to 15.1 percent. Still, he said the numbers are down from the 1980s and ’90s.
“In Wisconsin, unions have primarily looked to organize two groups: industry and construction,” he said. “But the groups showing the growth in recent years have been in the public and service sectors.”
The public sector
While overall public sector representation has remained relatively flat in Janesville, its slice of the union pie has increased as private sector union membership declined.
Tom Larsen of Wisconsin Council 40 AFSCME, which represents a variety of county, municipal and school workers in Janesville in five units, said his union’s membership is down about 11 percent for the decade.
One local AFSCME unit lost nearly half of its members, primarily because of downsizing at the Rock County Health Care Center, while another picked up new members with jail expansions, Larsen said.
“Generally, it’s been pretty stable,” he said.
Stability characterizes the Janesville Education Association, which represents teachers in the Janesville School District. Largely tied to enrollment, JEA’s membership has ranged from 878 in 2000 to 846 last year.
Newby said membership and organizing changes in the union movement reflect changes in the U.S. economy.
“It’s no great surprise that with our losses in manufacturing, manufacturing members make up a smaller percentage of union membership,” he said. “The other reason for the decline is that the resistance to organize in the private sector is just so strong.”
Union battles
In Janesville, management at RathGibson in Janesville has resisted recent employee efforts to organize for representation by Local 139 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.
An initial vote at RathGibson, a maker of stainless steel and alloy welded tubular products, was close but favored union representation. The voting was contested, and a second vote is in the offing.
Union workers at Woodman’s stores in Janesville, Beloit and Madison are locked in to what’s become a 20-month debate on whether Local 1473 of the United Food & Commercial Workers Union will continue to represent them.
Newby said while it’s important for union organizers to look to the service sector, they can’t forget manufacturing and the trades.
“We still recognize that manufacturing and the trades are central to the economic health of any advanced country,” he said. “This country’s trade policy is critical, and unless we get that right, the manufacturing base will continue to deteriorate.
“As a country, when you don’t make anything, you’re in trouble.”
The 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement and its predecessor policies have sucked manufacturing jobs out of the United States, Newby said.
“They just haven’t worked, and it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out that our trade policy doesn’t have to be a race to the bottom,” he said. “We don’t have to be protectionist, but we need to set some ground rules that apply to all countries that will ultimately help the world economy, our environment and living standards all over the world.”
Collins said manufacturing will continue to be an important part of the local economy, and unions will not abandon their commitment to manufacturing or its workers.
“The face of manufacturing is changing,” he said. “I think we’re going to see smaller manufacturing companies, and if we can pick up a larger one, great.”
Sep 11, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
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rockcofarmer; higher pay & benefits? really, what good does it do to price yourself right out of the market.
OSHA- an employee can call them anytime, Any decent non union co. has a safety rep as well - do you think only unions have them? if so, you better do some homework. Drive by Babcock signs or Mansur trucking sometime. Safety is the core of their policies.
An "advocate" at the bargaining table? shouldnt YOUR work speak for itself? If your as good as you think you are at what you do (no matter who you are) does it not bother you that you work harder than the "other guy" - wheather that be longer breaks, hangovers, going slow on the job, personal phone calls, or whatever. Dont you think you should be paid on the value YOU bring a co. - Merit.
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In a union, you can NOT opt out of their H Insurance. Might sound dumb right now but consider this. Suppose your wife works for the school dist. (or whatever job) that has excellent benefits (h Ins.) & you work at another (say GM) that has good benefits as well - should you not be able to choose which plan you want & get the increase in pay rather than just "throw that money (value of the plan) away". I personally know of several families this pertains to. That is 1000's of dollars a year "given" to the union with no value to you because you dont have a choice but take be enrolled in their plan.
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I'll bet your one of the hypocrites I speak of - You thump your union chest but I ask you this, who do you hire when you need work done at your house or "the farm" - I'll bet its NOT a union contractor! For all the people that complain about a $73 mil school addition/remodel - What do you think that price tag would have been if it was required to be all union? Where was your anger when the schools were being bid? If this is such a union town, why is there not an ordinance saying to only use union contractors for work? or like Madison that gives union contractors up to a 5% preference in bid work?
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FYI: I'm a UNION contractor that cant stand what has happened to this town/state from the damages caused from unions that keep taking, taking.... The biggest problem with unions in my opinion is when things are going good they make unreasonable demands that almost HAVE to be met because companies have orders & need to keep operating yet when things slow down they are under contract to adhere to. You know that being in business requires risk - typically the greater the risk the greater the potential reward. This risk is a 100 times worse in a union shop because there is no negotiating when things slow down.
Sep 11, 2009 at 7:33 a.m.
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What you guys say is the same every time. I'll stick with my union representation. I have higher pay and benefits, What you want to do is divide and conquer.
Tired- you didn't state what you did, so no it wasn't enough.
= OSHA - yeah, I've had contact with them before. OSHA tends to be for the survivor or after the accident. My union safety rep will be there sooner and will represent my concern immediately. If its non union what is my recourse quit the job and wait for the review, no thanks.
=Union membership gives me a stronger voice, an advocate at the bargaining table. I like them, but I'm looking at it from the labor side of the equation. You're looking at it from your pocketbook.
=I'll take my chances with the union rather than you. thanks
Sep 9, 2009 at 5:01 p.m.
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Labor unions in this country have been in decline for decades, from a peak of 32 percent of the workforce in the 1950s to just 12% today. Nationally, the only growth area in unionization has been among government employees, with 37 percent now unionized compared with only 8 percent of workers in the private sector.
I think the trend will continue.
Sep 9, 2009 at 12:43 p.m.
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Thanks
Sep 9, 2009 at 11:59 a.m.
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http://www.cco-cce.org/
Sep 9, 2009 at 11:57 a.m.
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here's a couple:
http://www.wilaborers.org/
http://www.smwlu18.org/milwaukee.htm
Sep 9, 2009 at 11:40 a.m.
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Say youmustbeverytiredbynow, do you have sources for your info? I mean other than that big hat with all those little pieces of paper in it. RAmen
Sep 9, 2009 at 11:24 a.m.
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Unfortunately, the unions have outlived their worth. When you really get to the economics, businesses will use the most cost effective way to get their product manufactured, delivered and sold. Most business plans are not founded around "potential employee benefits/rights." Unions are and will continue to be the reason why jobs are lost in our town, our state and our nation.
Sep 9, 2009 at 11:19 a.m.
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shall I continue?..........
Sep 9, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
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Farmer;=To those that say the time has passed for unions, you should state what you do for a living to give some perspective on your point of view.----- Ever heard of OSHA? This agency did not exist in the past & yes, work conditions were horrible but today there is regulation & rules that are strictly enforced.
Sep 9, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
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Farmer; =Like it or not it seems the only people with some sort of safety net currently are union represented people. ---- Really?! Let me ask you this, if you work at GM (or most construction jobs represented by unions) & happen to die BEFORE you retire, what does your family get of YOUR pension? – Nothing, Zilch, Nada! That’s right zero – hero, nice “safety net”. Now ask the same question of a Non-Union worker that has a 401k or similar fund. I’ll answer that one too; it’s WILLABLE & can be passed to beneficiaries in FULL Value of YOUR money. Additionally, can you borrow against your union pension? The answer is no. But in hard times – or good times, for things like a down payment on a house you CAN borrow from yourself and get YOUR money when you really need or want it. In a union you will not touch it until your 65. This brings me to retirement. Suppose you’re a frugal & do well for yourself & your 401k does well – you want to retire “early” and actually enjoy life. Non Union can do this and enjoy the fruits of their labor – union will wait until a certain age. Then what happens when you work for 30+ years & retire only to die 3, 5, 10 years later. Then what? you paid into a system for over 30 years to get what? Oh, that’s right if you die AFTER retirement your spouse gets 50% of what you would have gotten if you had lived. What if your spouse is already passed, what do your kids (or whomever is listed on your estate) get?– nothing.
Sep 9, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
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Farmer; =To those that say the time has passed for unions, you should state what you do for a living to give some perspective on your point of view.----- construction as an example: 1.In this area the average Base pay is approx $35 per hr + approx $20 in “benefits” this has a $55 labor rate before Work Comp, FICA match, business liability insurance etc. This puts rates up to approx $90-100 per hour. Vs. a non union company with much lower wage packages. When its all about a bidding process & low dollars, who do you think gets most of the work? Look at Craig & Parker additions for a perfect example. 2. How about Manufacturing? $25-35 per hr without a degree – why then does someone even “bother” to get a degree – most starting pay jobs with a 2 or a 4 year degree are less than 50k per year. While we’re at it, lets discuss residential union contractors – they barely exist here, why? Because people are hypocrites in this town (and others I’m sure) & hire the lowest possible person to do the work when they are paying the bill – but when the shoe is on the other foot, they want, want, want from their employer(s)
Sep 9, 2009 at 11:17 a.m.
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Farmer; =If you want to work in a "Right to work state" then move. ----Unfortunately, many just might have to do that – then what? We that are left get even less representation due to census figures – not to mention the remaining will get the tax base absorbed into their property taxes & we will enter a black hole with no way out. The “better” solution would be for you as a pro union to head out and collect your “brothers & sisters” from other states & get them to move here.
Sep 9, 2009 at 11:17 a.m.
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Farmer; =Don't like them don't work at a company that has union representation. ------- This is a real thought out statement being certain political elites want to push card check thru and with what “button” are they pushing this? Emotion - promises of higher wages. Gets em every time – the sheep that is. Why don’t we just make minimum wage $50 per hour? Promise that & they’ll herd up like cattle to elect you – the reality is its ALL proportionate. If you organized Fast Food restaurants, what do you suppose a Big Mac would cost – probably close to double – or how about organizing the farmers -what do you think that would do to your operation – assuming you’re a farmer by your name – think about cash flow, or paying instead of $2-3 for a dozen corn how about $4-5 – do you think you’d sell much compared to your competition. I doubt it.
Sep 9, 2009 at 11:16 a.m.
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Farmer; If unions are such a small percentage of the work force why are you guys so paranoid of them. ----- How about because look at the demographics of who has the largest union representation. Gov’t workers!!!
Sep 9, 2009 at 7:51 a.m.
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You guys bitch about the same things over and over. What all you anti's have in common is that you're against the middle class. Like it or not unions have built up the middle class through increased wages(especially c.o.l. wage increases) and benefits for the worker force. They have implemented safer working conditions so that a persons body isn't wore out or broken when your employment is finished.
=If unions are such a small percentage of the work force why are you guys so paranoid of them.
=Don't like them don't work at a company that has union representation.
=If you want to work in a "Right to work state" then move.
=To those that say the time has passed for unions, you should state what you do for a living to give some perspective on your point of view.
=Like it or not it seems the only people with some sort of safety net currently are union represented people.
Sep 8, 2009 at 11:20 p.m.
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It might also be that 11 of the top 20 “all time donors” to politics from 1989-2010 have been unions. Could it be those paying dues are not happy with where there money is going?
http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php...
Sep 8, 2009 at 10:32 p.m.
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Freedom Speaks, Thanks for you post. I wish more people understood the good that unions do and how we would all be back in the dark ages if not for the unions....
Sep 8, 2009 at 5:57 p.m.
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Union or no union, with our trade policies in manufacturing jobs just keep leaving this country. Who can compete with Chinese labor rates. With the standard of living dropping in this country, Democrat and Republican politicians are equally to blame. Why is this, because they have all sold out to lobbyist in Washington DC.
Sep 8, 2009 at 3:53 p.m.
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It's time for Wisconsin to become a Right To Work state. Call or write your legislators today.
Sep 8, 2009 at 3:05 p.m.
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+1 Ms. Sassy.......If you feel like you're getting underpaid or have an issue with management, take your skills to another company who will appreciate them more. If you are a motivated, intelligent and skilled person this should not be a problem. My first impression of Unions was going to work for my family's electrical contracting company. A non-Union company working on a commercial jobsite where most of the sub-contractors were Union....There were about 5 or 6 guys with picket signs sitting in lawn chairs along the road with coolers next to the chairs they were sitting in. I asked my dad how these electricians could afford to waste a couple of days wages just sitting in a chair holding a sign. He told me the Union payed for these guys to sit out in the chairs all day and do nothing. How stupid is that? Regardless--it was at that point that I associated stupidity with Unions and after many years of education and several experiences in dealing with them later on in life, I still believe that unions and stupidity go hand in hand.......
Sep 8, 2009 at 2:56 p.m.
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(re magneto1...flyyondawal-how do you afford internet on such low wage?)....i must of done something rite when i did have a decent paying job....and any way what kind of a comment is that magneto1 ? does it have any thing to do with this thread? or my last comment...and NO you cant use my toothbrush either thats private as well lol
Sep 8, 2009 at 2:36 p.m.
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but "free trade" is a traditional Republican goal.
free trade is also a goal for all US businesses to sell all thier goods throughout the world. Many US companies thrive on seeling things in other countries.
Sep 8, 2009 at 2:25 p.m.
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flyyondawal-how do you afford internet on such low wage?
Sep 8, 2009 at 1:57 p.m.
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I work for a Nation wide company thats so cheap i wish they did have a union..this company is doing very well, i dont get paid much lets just say my wages per hr dont hit double 0.00 digits, . and am scheduled to work 8 hr days with OUT breaks or lunch periods. Some buisnesses should have Unions, and then there are shops that treat people fair that dont need them, ive worked for both types of places. But what i know for sure is this Wisconsin Labor Law Needs to be changed to include a Lunch Period for empoyees over 18 yrs of age...
...(5. Must an employer give its employees meal or rest breaks during a work shift?
Employees under 18 years of age must receive at least a 30-minute duty free meal period when working a shift greater than 6 hours in duration. Section DWD 274.02(2) recommends that employers provide similar breaks to adults but does not require such breaks for adults.).....im glad im employed but i feel more like a Slave.
Sep 8, 2009 at 11:55 a.m.
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It doesn't seem "democratic" to me, if you can not "opt out" of union membership. I do not support lobbyists who have hidden agendas and bribe our legislators to support those agendas. That is one of the primary roles of the union leaders (“There are certainly things going on at the organizing level that aren’t that well publicized.") If they WERE publicized, they wouldn't get the support that they claim to have. Also, the Labor Laws that are in place make the Unions unnecessary. IMO, the lazy workers cry "grievance" anytime they are busted for slacking on the job. A good employee doesn't need a union to remain employed at a competitive wage.
That said, I am thankful that history, case law and other precedents are in place so that in our modern day, we can enjoy the day off, spend time with our families having picnics and barbequeing in the back yard. I don't take it for granted, but this is the times we live in.
Sep 8, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
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When your opponent has to harken back to the happenings two centuries back to make his case, you're probably on the winning side.
Sep 8, 2009 at 10:57 a.m.
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FreedomSpeaks-boy have you drank the coolaid. There was a time and place for unions but that time and place is long gone. Less then 4% of the private sector is union. That tells me that there is little support for the cause. Unions today are little more than a revenue generator for the democratic party.
Sep 8, 2009 at 10:44 a.m.
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All you people that love to see unions go by the wayside. Maybe you then would like to live back in 1893. When unions were just starting. This is how Labor Day got started. This is not in your history books: For most of us, Labor Day means backyard barbecues, weekend sales, and a last carefree day before school starts. But the laid-back holiday has some seriously sad history, including chaos, riots, and even death. Let me explain.
A tragic tale
Back in the days of the Industrial Revolution, workers were expected to put in 12-hour days, seven days a week (yes, including kids). Already sounds awful, right? It gets worse. In Pullman, Illinois, a company town that employed and housed workers to build posh railway cars, times had gotten tough. In response, George Pullman cut jobs and wages. It was 1893. Thousands of workers walked off their jobs in protest, demanding higher salaries and lower rents. Other unions joined, refusing to work the Pullman cars, turning the small-town fracas into a national fury.
With mail cars backing up, and riots worrying train execs, President Grover Cleveland stepped in. He declared the strike illegal and sent 12,000 troops to break the strike. Cue brutal protests and bloodshed. The strike was broken, but so was the spirit of the workers. To reach out to the labor movement, Congress rushed the national holiday into law. The bad will resulted in Cleveland losing re-election. But the day off for hot dogs endures.
When is it?
Labor Day falls on the first Monday of September. This year, that would be Monday, September 7. According to the Department of Labor, Congress passed an act in 1894 making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
So, working stiffs everywhere, say it now, with feeling: Happy Labor Day.
Maybe you like working 7 days a week like Japan & China for $7-10 an hour with no benefits. You won't support a family. I know first hand. As for foreign auto plants in the U.S.A. they make over $20 an hour but their profits go back to Japan & Korea. I have a friend that lives in Japan and she works 7 days a week and no holidays and no weekends like us. Thank goodness for unions!
Sep 8, 2009 at 9:49 a.m.
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"my comment that you so ignorantly refered to said merely that the signing in 1994 was under the Democrats watch."
The House and Senate were controlled by the Republicans when NAFTA was ratified. More Republicans than Democrats voted for it. Without their work, the legislation would have never gotten to Clinton to sign. It was championed by G.H.W. Bush. Spin it however you want, but "free trade" is a traditional Republican goal.
Sep 7, 2009 at 8:36 p.m.
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Wow, I learned about socialism in kollidge and they failed to inform me that wage negotiation tactics are the essence of socialism. I guess I will have to throw away that degree.
Sep 7, 2009 at 9:26 a.m.
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maybe if G M wasn't dishing out $85.00 per hour
(on average including bennies ) per employee as opossed to what the average janesville resident was making,(I would guess maybe 25. with bennies) maybe they would still be here? just a thought
Sep 7, 2009 at 8:20 a.m.
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Oh and Johndoe, what exactly did I leave out? my comment that you so ignorantly refered to said merely that the signing in 1994 was under the Democrats watch. Where do I go into any details of NAFTA? I dont. Your ignorant homerism is hilarious.
Sep 7, 2009 at 8:16 a.m.
Sep 7, 2009 at 8:12 a.m.
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Johndoe, your last sentence says it all. SIGNED INTO LAW BY CLINTON. Youre obviously a blind democrat homer, no surprise.
Sep 7, 2009 at 12:55 a.m.
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mymaro and inmyopinion conveniently forgot to include the whole truth...
BUT THAT's NO SUPRISE...
NAFTA was signed by U.S. President George H.W. Bush, Mexican President Salinas, and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in 1992. It was ratified by the legislatures of the three countries in 1993. The U.S. House approved it by 234 to 200 on November 17 and the Senate by 60 to 38 on November 20. It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton
Sep 7, 2009 at 12:36 a.m.
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"What we’re seeing are the results of decades and decades of complacency by the automakers.”
1. Build better products ( better quality and smaller cars) With a all the money GM earned by selling these environment crushing SUVs why did GM not invest in hybrid technology? You can blame NAFTA all you want but the fact is that GM, Ford, and Chrysler could not keep up with Toyota, Honda, Nissan in terms of quality and more efficient running cars. Their foreign casr are not cheap. But when you can build a car that is reliable and fuel efficient you can charge whatever you want and still be in business. Domestic auotmakers have lived by the "build first and then worry about the quality later" method.
2. Write to your state and tell them to stop taxing the crap out of you so they can stop using this money for social spending programs that so many abuse. Let these leeches start fending for themselves. The money that you mkae should be your money and for the union or the government.
3. Start focusing on pay for peformance systems. Pay people for what they do not just because they have accrued senority. GM is/was like a big social government. Too much cost associated with labor/benefit costs. Unions promote laziness and protect the worker who works 5 hours out of 8. Not saying all union workers are lazy by the way.
Sep 6, 2009 at 10:19 p.m.
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Yea, NAFTA was a main culprit, but before that ya had companines like Nike going to china or Korea to set up sweat shops and other companies following suit. that was back in the late 80's.
Sep 6, 2009 at 9:29 p.m.
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The only thing I know about AFSCME is that they TAKE ALOT OF MY MONEY! USED IT TO ELECT President Obama, someone I didn't vote for and THEN RAISED MY UNION DUES at the state/national level, WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A VOTE LOCALLY, so they can replenish their bank accounts.
Sep 6, 2009 at 9:11 p.m.
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oh come on that cant be true. That would be under a Democrats watch(GASP!!!).
Sep 6, 2009 at 8:32 p.m.
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Lets send more to china
Sep 6, 2009 at 7:20 p.m.
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NAFTA...Thank Clinton!
Sep 6, 2009 at 6:23 p.m.
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The 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement and its predecessor policies have sucked manufacturing jobs out of the United States.....that statement says it all :(
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