When? A hundred years ago? Some labor unions may have been founded because of worker mistreatment. Most labor unions exist today to concentrate power in the hands of crooks and thugs. Their main goal is to keep membership up by restricting productivity. Any "benefits" they get for the workers ultimately cost union jobs. Those areas where workers are free of union interference are thriving while forced union membership is killing industries in this country. The "concessions" given by unions don't put the cost of union labor in the fair market range and are usually accompanied by some other benefit which increases the cost of doing business.
It is capital that raised the value of labour’s marginal product, not unions.
(direct quote from this article: Unions, wages & the H R Nicholls Society... an Australia-centric article but it explains the economics of labour markets well.)
Do you think human nature has changed? There is still a place for unions in this country...once they go look out for your own economic health.
How many illegal aliens do you suppose work in 'union shops'??? I'd say probably none...It's lookin' to me like we could use far more unions...