I’m not surprised at your experience at all. I spent 30 plus years in U.A.W. factories and the only place I’ve found so many people think all union members are goons and thugs is F.R.
I’ve never voted for a democrat in my life and know many other union members who are the same.
The “broad brush” approach is almost never right concerning anything.
Don’t mistake anti Union to be something directed at Union members.
I’m married to an amazing teacher’s union member who’s smart, articulate and more conservative than many here.
The same is true of other conservative people who work for government. Many many straight up folks there.
Liberals usually don’t like to work, are in jail or are attorneys (kidding)
I worked as CFO for a public employees union for ten years. I got quite a political education there. I think the main difference is between public and private unions. The public employees can basically hire their own bosses and contract negotiators by getting them elected with their powerful PACS and lobbyists. The unions and those politicians do not have to consider keeping a business open as the only profit to be made is off the taxpayers. If the taxpayers revolt, they threaten to fire police, firefighters and teachers, and to cut services for the poor, and they win.