Take this from a former member of the AFL-CIO, now retired - labor unions serve a good purpose, to mediate between workers and bosses and to create healthier workplaces and raise employee salaries. BUT -- Labor also takes our dues and lobbies with corrupt Democratic officials, and the people that make out more than anybody are the damn labor leaders! They keep themselves in power with ridiculously high salaries by painting Republicans as the boogey men. And labor leaders cut all kinds of sweetheart deals with the corporate bosses to make it look like they're helping their union members, when they're really giving away workers' interests in exchange for special deals. I saw it all in the workplace.