Process
Status Items Output None Questions None Claims None Highlights Done See section below
Highlights
id591479947
the larger the share of the American workforce that’s unionized, the lower the share of national income that goes to the superrich — and vice versa.
id591479971
Before around 1980, worker productivity and compensation steadily increased as union membership grew and remained relatively high.
id591479986
when union membership declined, there wasn’t a sharp uptick in productivity (the rate of gain remained roughly the same from the days of stronger unions). The thing that changed was workers’ compensation.
id591479990
less union strength, workers simply started getting paid less. With fewer unions, workers’ productivity gains that had previously been compensated were instead pocketed by owners and shareholders.
id591480037
the overall point still stands.
