The conflicts causing union strikes are heating up this summer, in what some are calling a summer of strikes. What happens when unions flex their muscles? We may find out in the next few weeks!
Here are Five Fast Facts about a potential summer of strikes:
- ☀️Summer Heat - Crazy stat: Over 650k Americans are either on strike right now or threatening to go on strike. It’s the biggest union movement in decades, and a clear flex of renewed union strength. 💪
- 📉📈 Historical Trajectory - Unions used to represent around 25% of all workers, but now it’s just 6%. Still, the public is thinking more favorably about unions now than any time in the last half century. Interesting how public opinion is high but participation is low…
- 🤔 Players - You’ve probably heard about the actors and writers guilds in Hollywood going on strike (boo reruns!), but UPS and the big automakers are also close to joining them in the next few weeks if contract negotiations don’t secure a deal. Strong pushes in companies like Amazon and Starbucks are being felt, too. Between all these companies, that affects pretty much everyone on any given day!
- 😨 Risks - If the unions don’t win in these situations, it demoralizes workers and leaves them worse off than before. It also blunts unionization efforts happening in other companies at the same time. On the flip side, for businesses that go union, profits typically get cut which means prices will likely go higher for customers. And, of course, widespread work stoppages can cause problems with goods and services moving around the country.
- 💰 Rewards - The benefits for the unions themselves pretty much boils down to more money and power. For workers, unionized shops tend to make more money and get better benefits (though you may not like what the unions do with your dues). Particularly with corporate profits soaring right now, everyone wants a bigger cut. Can we have one, too?
🔥Bottom line: Each of these companies has a different situation, but the common theme is that it all comes down to money. There are pros and cons to strikes and unions, so it’ll be interesting to see how these situations turn out.
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