Now the best time for a strike is disappearing. In the Tampa Bay region, wages appear to be low. However, this masks significant differences between and within occupations. The average low pay could reflect the non-wage benefits of the area, the low cost of living, and the lack of union militancy. The United Auto Workers is losing members and dues because of outsourcing, production abroad, new technology, and retirements.
Similar trends are evident in other unions.
Unions are recruiting vigorously to stem the flow, encouraged by key victories in the UPS and American Airlines disputes. South Full Summary Northwest Airlines pilots are on strike because they feel that the company's offer is inadequate compensation for the pay cuts agreed to in 1993 when the airline was in financial difficulties. In spite of record profits, Northwest says that it cannot afford the increases, particularly because it knows that other groups will want similar raises. Although retirees and discouraged workers are joining the labor force, increases in individuals' hours of work are more significant sources of growth in the supply of labor. This is due to attempts to maintain real incomes in the face of declining real hourly wage rates.