Really? Care to post some facts regarding that assertion you make? The last time I checked the BLS their stats showed that only 10% of the manufacturing workforce in the US was in a union. I am sure it is a lot less in the south.
Table 3. Union affiliation of employed wage and salary workers by occupation and industry
You are probably both right.
“Manufacturing” is the key word in your response. SEIU and AFSCME are government unions not manufacturing unions. Govt unions seem to be doing too well in all regions.
You have to separate public and private sector unions
AFGE = American Federation of Government Employees...public sector
AFSCME = American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees...public sector
SEIU = Service Employees International Union...public and private sector...very big in government health care
Those three unions do well anywhere there is government.