>A rapid loss in density of this magnitude requires some explanation. This has
>not been a period of downturn for the auto industry, so one could not imagine
>a significant loss of existing membership. Indeed, insofar as production in
>union represented corporations like GM, Ford and Chrysler picked up, there
>would be a net gain in membership in them. And that still is the majority of
>the industry. So you would have to have a pretty phenomenal increase in
>non-unionized production to make these numbers work. Where did it come from?
Parts. From 1990 to 2000, employment in "motor vehicles & car bodies" grew by 0.5% a year - but "motor vehicle parts and accessories" grew 3.3% a year.
Doug