Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 28, 1995 TAG: 9507280084
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Analysts say it's about time.
The United Auto Workers, the Steelworkers and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said Thursday they would merge by 2000, forming a 2-million-member organization.
``The real question is, how come it's only beginning to happen now? Why has it taken so long for this?'' said Ken Goldstein, an economist with The Conference Board, a business research group in New York.
A merger would eliminate the unions' duplicate organizing and lobbying efforts. But more is at stake than that.
``This is hardly about trying to address today's situation, but rather to try to position themselves to be an influence and be a force tomorrow,'' Goldstein said.
Labor's influence has declined since unionism peaked in 1954, when unions represented 34.7 percent of all nonfarm workers. Today that number is just 15 percent.
For years, jobs in the traditionally unionized industrial sectors have declined, while service jobs have increased. Meanwhile, businesses have worked to increase efficiency and vitality through mergers and acquisitions, and organized labor has found itself at odds with the new GOP political leadership on Capitol Hill.
``Contrary to those who believe that unions have outlived their usefulness, we share the deep conviction that in a globalized economy dominated by the mobility of capital, organized labor has a more compelling role than ever,'' the unions said in a ``declaration of unity'' signed by their three presidents -George Kourpias of the Machinists, Stephen Yokich of the Auto Workers and George Becker of the Steelworkers.
``We are convinced that by combining our resources, our experience and the trade union spirit that guides our leaders and our members, we can far better bring a vital and necessary balance to the scales of political, social and economic justice,'' the statement said.
Neil N. Bernstein, a Washington University law professor in St. Louis specializing in labor, said unions are ``trying to be innovative and trying to do some different things that would reverse the decline in membership.''
In recognition of economic shifts, several other unions have sealed or initiated mergers this year, believing that strength comes from numbers.
The AFL-CIO comprised 140 unions when it was formed in 1955; if this merger goes through, affiliated unions would number 76. In all, the federation has 13.3 million members.
by CNB