I'll give an example of union brilliance locally. Pretty product made car floor mats. Union wanted a pay raise, company offered, union declined and went on strike. Shortly after the strike, the company moved operations to Tennessee. I believe the company still would have moved even without the strike, but that was just a cherry for them. Having to pay scab workers (that came in by the busload) a cheaper rate to close down the plant. There is a place and time for everything. Unions used to have that time and place. It's just difficult and outdated in today's economy. IMO I guess my whole issue is that people on the top end want to continue getting incentives, bonuses, and more pay. The union in turn has to cut the little guy on the bottom, to be able to pay it. Even though the little guy pays the same union dues. The guys at the top don't fucking care, the guys at the bottom just want a fucking job. Now where does that leave the company? A bunch of old soon to be retiring workers with no fresh folks to pick up the slack when they leave. So the company starts hiring older more experienced workers, again bypassing the guys at the bottom. So needless to say, if you're at the bottom get the lube, and keep it in your locker for as long as you are there.