I somewhat agree. I do see unions as an important part in improving worker safety and standards of living. However, they have to keep demands reasonable. If labor costs are through the roof, and the company can’t make a profit and folds, the union loses as well.
I was a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stagehand Employees. Since they’re an international union, there are a lot of differences between the local chapters. The local I joined was #153 in El Paso, TX. We maintained goof relationships with all of our clients, and were quite often complimented in how well and how quickly we did our jobs (quick is important when you show is loading out at 1am and has to be in Phoenix by 8). As such, we never had an issue with getting work and getting new clients.
When I moved to San Diego, I contacted the local here and decided they were nothing but a gang of thugs. No promoter would use them if they could avoid it, and non union arena’s such as Cox, Coors, Viejas, etc got contracts for many, many more shows than the Sports Arena (It doesn’t help that the Sports Arena is a dump). The difference was amazing, and I chose to leave the union.
My point is that there has to be a balance. Companies will always try to pay the lowest wage possible, and I think it’s great that employees have the option to organize and bargain collectively, but when they run the company into bankruptcy, it’s their own damn fault.
My problem with public employee unions is that the “company” will never fold. Labor costs simply continue to soar sucking up more and more tax money from the public until they scream. At that point they’re all labeled as “greedy republicans” that don’t want to pay their “fair share”.