[legion]

The very title of this thread suggests that inertia will eventually push things Supe's way.

The fact is, labor laws are extremely pro-union. In Illinois, one cannot be employed in many jobs without joining a union (from an auto worker to a grocery store bagger). Workers are forced to pay dues, and the unions spend fortunes on political campaigns, whether or not the members agree with the politicians they fund. In fact, unions spend on only one political party...

Also, a union can approach an employer and asked to organize the workers. At that point, the employer can capitulate and recognize the union--without a vote ever taking place. A union can in essence take over a shop without the blessing of the workers. Pretty democratic, huh? Of course, if a vote does take place, the employer is prohibited by law from saying or doing anything that could be interpreted as infringing on the "workers right to organize". Further, once a shop is unionized, it is impossible to de-unionize--no matter how the workers feel about the union. It is also impossible to switch unions if the workers do not feel they are properly represented.

I go to a NASCAR race every summer with a bunch union guys who work for a utility. One of the most common things I hear is: "the union is as corrupt as management". Think that one over for a minute.