Catherwood LibraryILR School

Union membership in the state of California has been significantly hurt by globalization, consecutive decades of declining membership, the current economic crisis, and an exodus of businesses afraid of California's high taxes, high wages, and high energy costs. However, even as 4,000 unionized Toyota employees prepare to lose their jobs, sympathy for unions seems to be gaining. UCLA expert Kent Wong explains that, among other factors, many are leaning towards unions and away from big corporations frustrated with the banking institutions and the declining economy. Union membership increased, both in proportion and hard numbers, adding over 130,000 new members in the last year. There are bright spots (e.g. job security) and dark spots (increased consumption at Wal-Mart) in union politics at present and in the near future, but this Labor Day marked a happy improvement.