The Decline in Private Sector Unionization
In my opinion, there are several primary reasons for the decline in private-sector union membership in the U.S. First, demographic changes and changes in the U.S. economy’s structure have led to the decline in private-sector union membership. According to Singh and Loncar (2010), the influx of immigrant workers in the U.S. has undermined workers’ solidarity, promoted competition between employees, and lowered unionization rates. Primarily, illegal immigrant employees, for fear of deportation, are less likely to join labor unions and protest substandard working conditions. Additionally, it is significantly difficult for labor unions to organize the continually changing workforce, comprising mostly of women, part-time and temporary employees (Singh & Loncar, 2010). Furthermore, changes in the U.S. labor market from the manufacturing sector to the rapidly growing and dynamic service sector and the emergence of new largely technical and white-collar jobs have also made significant contributions to the decline in private-sector union membership.
Second, the decline in private-sector union membership has been partly due to unions’ failure to develop a strategic plan for social transformation and growth. Primarily, unions no longer organize strikes and grassroots activism, which are significant in boosting union membership (Mironi, 2010). Additionally, rivalry among labor unions regarding membership is another contributing factor to the decline in private-sector union membership. Stepan-Norris and Southworth (2010) found that rivalry among unions, including deal-making with workers against other unions, hampers personnel, resources, and innovative strategies that could potentially enhance union membership. Last, Baird (2010) posits that employers often use job contracts to keep unions out by incorporating clauses requiring workers not to join any union or be involved in union activism, which are some of the employment conditions.
References
Baird, C. W. (2010). Toward a Free-Market Union Law. Cato Journal, 215-234.
Mironi, M. (2010). Reframing the Representation Debate: Going Beyond Union and Non-Union Options. Industrial & Labor Relations Review, 367-383.
Singh, P., & Loncar, N. (2010). Pay Satisfaction, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intent. Industrial Relations, 470-490.
Stepan-Norris, J., & Southworth, C. (2010). Rival Unionism and Membership Growth in the United States, 1900 to 2005: A Special Case of Interorganizational Competition. American Sociological Review, 227-251.
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Question 
The Decline in Private Sector Unionization
While the multi-decade decline in private-sector union membership in the U.S. is unquestioned, employers, unionists, and experts continue to debate the reasons and implications for the decline.
In your opinion, what is the primary reason for the decline? Provide references to back up your position.