A positive assessment of trade unions appeared in The Record Parade section recently. Prof Clete Daniel of Cornell University says that unions help all workers and "promote a fairer sharing of wealth". He also notes (in comparison to the 1920's) that "the gap between America's rich and poor is the largest it's been since 1928". Unions also played a part in getting unemployment insurance, Social Security and the 40-hour work week. Those opposed say that unions have "outlived their usefulness" and that the "workplace in much better today". Union membership is now at 12 % of American workers. This article may have been initiated by pending congressional legislation; The Employee Free Choice Act or "Card Check" law would make it easier for workers to join a union.
(Source: "Does America Still Need Labor Unions?" in the "Intelligence Report" section of Parade Magazine. February 22, 2009).
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