how do unions increase their bargaining power?

Answer 1

Unions increased their bargaining power through sheer numbers, strikes and having companies over a barrel.

Despite some thinking unions are a God send, they do have their down side as we can all see what the UAW has done to GM, Ford and Chrysler. The union had such a stranglehold on these companies, they were no longer able to compete and lost a big market share in the U.S. GM use to be the number one producer of autos. Now it is behind Toyota. Ford is now number three and no telling where Chrysler fits into this mix.

The same could be said for many other American companies where high wages paid to union members have forced these companies to take their manufacturing off shore (i.e., China, Viet Nam, Mexico, Honduras, etc.). Consequently, the unions have now lost their bargaining power because the people they once represented no longer have jobs.

It ain't rocket science. Unions did serve a good purpose at one time. But now, they have basically shot themselves in the foot and run a lot of companies out of business or out of the country.

Answer 2

By forming employees union . frequent meetings to solicit the idea of employees that are their work interest. Study the company's advancement and see where they could strike the most.