Canadian unions - up in public sector - down in private sector. US comparison.

"Overall, 29.4% of Canadian workers are unionized in 2008, a figure down almost a quarter from 1981. But the real story flies out when you break down that figure - unions have become mainly a public sector phenomenon. Recent Statistics Canada data shows that nationally, over 71 % of the public sector is unionized compared to 16.3% of the private sector".

Source, with h/t to Small Dead Animals.

Comment:  Unions are rent seekers that have largely captured an uncompetitive constituency.

Charts added:

For comparison with the US, from NYT:  Overall US unionization is 11.9% of the workforce and here's the private-public breakdown: