During the recession, companies employed a variety of different tactics—two-tier pay scales,

forcing more productivity out of existing employees, reducing wages and benefits, hiring more short-term workers, and asking for givebacks—that effectively undercut union power. To which reason explaining the declining union movement does that statement apply?
A) legislation solving some problems unions fought for
B) competition in the global economy
C) increased productivity in manufacturing jobs
D) companies employing strategies to avoid unionization
E) negative images of unions

Answer: D
Explanation: D) A final reason for the decline in unions is that prior to the Great Recession, many companies employed active strategies to keep unions out, such as by providing wages and benefits that were comparable to those of unionized companies, improving communication with employees, empowering employees, and raising employee participation in decision making. During the recession, companies employed a variety of different tactics—two-tier pay scales, forcing more productivity out of existing employees, reducing wages and benefits, hiring more short-term workers, and asking for givebacks—that effectively undercut union power.