UCLA's Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE) reported that at least one organization has seen unusual growth - Unions.

From July 2008 to June 2009, substantial changes occurred in Union growth nationwide, with 24,904 new members in the Southland and 131,206 in California.

Unions actually increased their membership by 14% of the workforce over the past 2 years

Interestingly, in California, male union membership increased 4 times as fast as female membership.

This, of course, is unusual, because historically, during an economic downturn, unions get clobbered, said IRLE director Chris Tilly. Instead, in one of the most severe economic downturn we are seeing an increase in union membership.

One great attraction of unionism to workers is that in the USA, the average hourly earnings are about $4 more for union workers than non-union workers.

Labels: American Creativity, creativity in a recession, downturn