The changing marketplace

We are in the midst of a revolution in the marketplace which has impacted dramatically on unions and labor relations in general, when you juxtapose this phenomenon with a loss of union vigor. Since 1974, which was the turning point in NLRB elections, unions have lost more elections than they have won - until then they had won in excess of 50% that they entered; they now win less than half the elections; the number of petitions asking for union elections has declined; the number of decertifications has increased; strike activity is at its lowest point in many years - man-days lost is at its lowest point since 20 years ago. Combining the loss of vigor in union organizations and the changing marketplace in the hospital industry, we must observe that the pendulum has swung as far to the right as ever before in the industry. Yet, juxtaposed to this obvious swing is increased organizing activity directed at health care employees. The AHA reports (Casey, 1986) that the reason for increased activity in the health care industry is that there are numerous changes occurring in the industry that are upsetting to employees; and unions, suffering a decline in membership, are attempting to organize an industry that has proven susceptible to unionization overtures. Many experts in the field predict that there will be an increased level of union interest in the next two years. Hospital employees feel more secure than ever before and top hospital management is preoccupied with the new marketplace and are perceived by their employees as not 'caring'.