Undoubtedly, unions do offer member workers some protection (including those you mentioned). For this, consumers pay dearly and in my opinion is simply not worth it.
Gee Norm, "us" consumers and investors can then live in non-union "paradises" like the Third World, where there are no protections for the individual at work, the citizen's health, the small investor (if, indeed there are such people), and little support for infrastructure (education, R&D), transportation, energy, etc.). Yep, full on capitalism (anarchy) sure is great. (See Russia.)
I like living in a middle class society where we are ruled by law, rather than by men. Middle class societies need to support their middle class with decent wages. Unions and government are the bulwark against the potentially destructive forces of the global market, that maintain the middle class. (The same forces that in other contexts are constructive.) I'm willing to pay more for everything in turn to have a chance to have a decent life as a citizen, worker, and investor.
(PS, not unionized.) |
