>My biggest issue with the anti-union crowd is that they don't realize that Unions are just another competing force, except instead of competing in the marketplace, they're competing in the production line. Why do you think our golden example, Silicon Valley, has managed to stay away from unions? It's because of treating their workers pretty damn well, by anyone's standards.
I disagree. The problems with unions is that they don't have to compete. If hiring a union worker were an option, then yes, they'd be competing. But that's not how it works. It's hire them or be fined. Period. That's how it works. Being forced to hire a local guy at $40 an hour just because I'm in their jurisdiction is strictly anti-competitive. The world isn't huge anymore. Forcing to hire local makes no sense when there are better people (ahem me! ahem) suited for the work.
Not every Union is written into the law in the area. In fact, the vast majority(I'd estimate well over 80%) of Unions aren't even related to Government in the first place. Grocer's Unions, Retail Unions, Laborer Unions, Operating Engineer Unions, Metalworker, factory worker, etc etc etc. It's a fallacy that Unions don't have to compete. But I'd agree, that in the places that they don't? They're most likely overstepping and perhaps even causing issues.
I disagree. The problems with unions is that they don't have to compete. If hiring a union worker were an option, then yes, they'd be competing. But that's not how it works. It's hire them or be fined. Period. That's how it works. Being forced to hire a local guy at $40 an hour just because I'm in their jurisdiction is strictly anti-competitive. The world isn't huge anymore. Forcing to hire local makes no sense when there are better people (ahem me! ahem) suited for the work.