I agree that misdiagnosing the problem leads to the wrong solution... Which is why I’m trying to correct your misperception. The rate of pay is only a very small part of the cost that a union imposes. With a union, management’s control over the operation is significantly weakened.
But it’s one of those things that’s difficult to persuade people of. For decades, the public blamed management for the
Big 3’s problems. Yes, management... but more particularly management that is beholden to and constrained by the union.
My perception of the situation is based on a lot more than this article.
The airplane was late before an IAM mechanic ever turned a wrench.