Some also maintain that unions have interfered with attempts to improve quality. After hearing from a few auto industry folks, I am no longer certain of this, but I remain deeply suspicious of union involved in inferior component quality and assembly problems.
I'm not sure about recent activities, but I do remember in the 70s and 80s how hard the unions fought against automation, which would have lowered prices and standardized quality and quality control. The days of unions being a benefit are over, as far as I'm concerned. I've seen little evidence (in my limited exposure to them) that they do anything to instill a sense of pride in workmanship or in the trade they claim to serve. Instead, all of the pride is focused on the union and its struggle against the company that pays its membership so they can pay their dues to the union, so the union can continue the struggle.