Union folk hang together against "the man" (-agement). In a momentary fit of altruism, they'll call to their mind's eye how so-and-so of their number was screwed because they were ailing and not able to make their piece-rate (quota of output). I was quickly made aware how I was not to work hard or quickly (as a material handler), or they "would all be made to work harder". I wouldn't want that, would I?
Well, I wouldn't want the anger of the burly guy telling me that to come down on me--that much was clear--but I had been getting personal satisfaction about overcoming my learning curve for the job, and partly through finding efficiencies that allowed me to keep up with everyone else and all the bosses were telling me to do. I also saw how there was a pervasive slacker attitude among most of the workers that had no interest whatsoever going beyond the minimum of what their job demanded.
It took no time at all for me to realize that this behavior would make the products more expensive than they needed to be (even for my family on the outside, perhaps thinking they were doing me a favor by buying our product) and would give the competition, particularly foreigners who worked for less wage/ hour, opportunity to compete readily in a market held back by these unionists and their anti-productivity attitude that was counter to management at every turn.
We were made to think union products represented quality, but knowing how union inspectors worked, I didn't find that argument particularly persuasive.
From my school days, I knew that union violence was somehow unfairly protected against prosecution, and I pictured that I'd have to develop some kind of strategy to keep from getting hurt if there was a strike.
To make a long story short, I know first-hand the inherent destructiveness of unions and determined to get out of there and back to school to qualify for a job that would keep my life from being entangled with unions.
I did that, and was wildly successful!
HF
Folks might well ask themselves why unions continue to be tolerated, if not popular, among government workers.
Could it be that our elected political class is totally corrupt and cannot be trusted to manage public affairs or the people who actually have to carry out public policy?
For example, Obamugabe ~ is he trustworthy? How about Boehner, or Reid? These people are merely the tip of an iceburg of a public leadership sector in this country who are long overdue for some serious reform.
Working within THEIR system will get you nothing more than a replacement just like them. We need something better.