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Late Capitalism and the Decline of Trade Union Power in the United States

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  • David Milton

    (University of Oregon)

Abstract

The power of organized labor in the United States, measured by union representation in the labor force, political influence in Congress, and by public support for trade unions, has been in decline for two decades. During the 1980s a historic shift in political, economic and social power in favor of large corporations has altered the configuration of American society. As a result, a number of Business Administration faculties and industrial relations specialists believe that a new American industrial relations system may be emerging that will eliminate unions altogether or at least make organized labor irrelevant as an influence on the American social order. This article traces the causes and effects of the erosion of union power in the United States and suggests that no decisive gains by American workers in the direction of economic and industrial democracy can be expected in the absence of a strong labor movement. A new cooperative era of industrial relations is not at hand.

Suggested Citation

  • David Milton, 1986. "Late Capitalism and the Decline of Trade Union Power in the United States," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 7(3), pages 319-349, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:7:y:1986:i:3:p:319-349
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X8673005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul Goldman & Donald R. Van Houten, 1980. "Uncertainty, Conflict, and Labor Relations in the Modern Firm I: Productivity and Capitalism's 'Human Face'," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 1(1), pages 63-98, February.
    2. Randy Barber, 1982. "Pension Funds in the United States Issues of Investment and Control," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 3(1), pages 31-73, February.
    3. Paul Goldman & Donald R. Van Houten, 1980. "Uncertainty, Confifict, and Labor Relations in the Modern Firm II: The War on Labor," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 1(2), pages 263-287, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Steven Deutsch, 1987. "Reviews," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 8(2), pages 267-270, May.

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