Decline in union strength noted by rising share of hiring officials

A growing percentage of company officials who are in charge of hiring say they believe union strength is declining, according to a poll of such executives by Management Recruiters International.

Of 2,577 respondents, the firm said, 65.5 percent noted weaker union activities in their companies. Geographically, union strength was seen highest in New England and lowest in the Rocky Mountain region. More executives at larger companies (1,000 or more employees) held this view than did their counterparts at smaller ones. Conversely, those having 250 to 499 employees said union strength was not waning. A majority of executives in industries such as printing and retailing said unions were on the decline, while in the chemical industry the opposite view predominated.