While unionization has always been low in the US compared to other advanced democracies, trends are similar. Back in 1980, the unionization rate in OECD nations was about 50%; it’s now 18%. In the US, the rate has fallen from over 30% in 1960 to 10% today. Why, better pay and working conditions, and a reduction in capital-intensive industries like mining, manufacturing, and newspapers, where workers have leverage over employers.