Final answer:
The statement is false. Illegal firings of employees who advocate for unions can intimidate others, potentially reducing the probability of successful unionization. Labor unions continue to advocate for workers' rights, even as union membership has trended downward.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that illegal discharge of employees who are union advocates usually does not decrease the probability of a successful unionization is false. When employers engage in illegal firings of pro-union employees, it can have a chilling effect on the unionization process by intimidating other employees. This may deter them from participating out of fear of similar reprisals, potentially decreasing the probability of successful unionization.
Moreover, the controversy around labor unions highlights them as both a defense against profit-driven reductions in wages and benefits, and as potential contributors to short-term gains at the expense of long-term stability. It is important to recognize that while unions may promote competitive practices in some businesses, in others they may lead to bankruptcy if their demands excessively strain the company's resources.
Nonetheless, unions have historically provided political support for laws protecting workers, and though unionization has been in decline, unions continue to play a significant role in advocating for worker rights and adaptations to new technology and market conditions. Union workers may show more willingness to accept new technology, owing to the belief that unions will negotiate to protect their jobs and wages.