Freakonomics Radio Do Unions Still Work?
16 snips
Mar 10, 2022 Liz Shuler, the first female president of the AFL-CIO, dives into the curious disconnect between rising public support for labor and dwindling union membership. She discusses the surge of organizing efforts at companies like Amazon and Starbucks, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of unions in today's economy. Shuler also highlights the revival of labor strikes and the challenges unions face in non-traditional sectors. The conversation underscores the potential for unions to address economic inequality while navigating modern labor dynamics, including the push for well-paying jobs in the clean energy transition.
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Declining Union Membership
- High public support for unions contrasts sharply with near-record-low membership.
- Only about 10% of the U.S. workforce belonged to a union in 2022.
High Union Approval
- Public approval of labor unions is high, nearing 70% overall and 77% among young people.
- This poses questions about the gap between support and actual union membership.
Oreo Workers Strike
- Liz Shuler highlights worker contributions during the pandemic, like Oreo production, leading to record profits.
- Despite this, workers faced inadequate rewards, leading to strikes like the Oreo worker strike.
