Labor Unions and the 21st Century

When it comes to Union Labor in United States history, I would have to say there has been kind of a love/hate relationship. Unions were despised in early 19th Century as a threat to Big Business, saying that they were threats to interstate commerce because of collective bargaining. These were a weary bunch, always at risk of death.

In the mid- 20th Century, Union Labor was the backbone of the American Economy and paved the way for a vibrant middle class. This was the era of Camelot.

Late 20th Century saw a turn against Union Labor because of its worst excesses.

The modern labor union is a ghost of its former self and still clinging to element of 20th Century thought. They are top-down and very reluctant to relinquish power to the younger generation.  The saddest part is that they are lacking in maintaining member interest in Union affairs.

If we are to build a 21st Century Labor Union, those are the two areas that should be addressed immediately.