Changing Fortunes

The author demonstrates that the resources (income and wealth) available to most categories of employees has declined over the past 20 years relative to the total income and wealth in our society. Arguing that the decline of the heavy industry sector of the economy has eroded the power of organized labor, which was most concentrated in precisely these industries, Tigges suggests that the declining power of the unions has resulted in a lessened ability for employees to bargain for higher wages with their employers, thereby reducing employees' relative share of the national income.