An American Tragedy: The Decline of U.S. Unionism and Its Human Rights Implications | Synapse
September 23, 2025
An American Tragedy: The Decline of U.S. Unionism and Its Human Rights Implications
Key Points
The decline of unionism in the U.S. impacts workers' human rights, particularly their freedom of association.
The review assesses how international human rights standards apply to workers' rights and the implications of their violation.
Lance Compa's work discusses the unfair advantages faced by workers in the U.S. labor market due to declining union representation.
Human rights implications of declining unionism could exacerbate inequities in the workplace and limit advocacy for labor rights.
Abstract
A review of: Unfair Advantage: Workers' Freedom of Association in the United States under International Human Rights Standards by Lance Compa. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2004. 220pp.