Overall, 12.4% of U.S. workers are represented by unions, a density far below what would be the case if all workers who wanted to belong to a union could freely do so. In fact, studies have shown that if workers’ preferences were realized, as much as 58% of the workforce would have union representation. Yet, this low overall unionization rate obscures a striking imbalance – while almost 37% of public-sector workers belong to unions, less than 8% of private-sector workers do. A 2009 study by Cornell University researcher, Dr. Kate Bronfenbrenner, offers a detailed look at why.
http://thetrialbyfire.org/2011/09/02/no-holds-barred-the-intensification-of-employer-opposition-to-organizing/
