[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Superman

Each time there has been prosperity for tradesmen, it was brought about by unionism. Back in the day, there were the Masons. It became a brotherhood of workers who had the skill and training to make things out of stone. They limited their membership and were in solidarity regarding rates of pay and working conditions. Same as now.

You want to tell that to all of the non-union workers in factories, making a good wage? Or all of the non-union tradesmen that make a good living? In the 19th century there was a place for unions to protect the employees. Today that role has been taken over by government agencies, leaving the union to fill the role of extortionists.