Unions push to represent more workers, but organized labor’s share of jobs is declining

People raise their fists during a rally this month for striking workers who are part of the United Auto Workers union at United Auto Workers’ Local 551 headquarters on the South Side. (Pat Nabong / Sun-Times)

The American workplace is seeing a collision of competing interests in Chicago and across the country.

It’s happening in traditional labor strongholds like manufacturing and in service-sector jobs not known for rebellious workers — mostly with the involvement of a union.