Unions arose from the descrepancy in power between masters and apprentices.
The latter were treated poorly and at the whim of the former.
This balance in todays society is predicated on unemployment.
In times of high unemployment, bosses can dictate onerous conditions, whilst in low unemployment workers have better bargaining powers.
On a one to one basis in normal times obviously management has greater power.
When it comes to government employees, the situation is somewhat different. Government employees have always enjoyed greater security of employment and often better retirement benefits but lower wages in response.
Union activity re strikes etc., has become minimal in recent years as both workers and management perhaps have a better regard of each others position and realise the harm each do to the workings of an enterprise.
As well governments now give greater protection to workers and their rights and concerns.
The days of bully bosses and also vindictive union bosses seems long gone.
I think unions are still an effective voice of workers where bosses are unlikely to listen to individual employees.
Personally I see no great harm done by unions these days and is a far cry from the adversarial battles of the past.
Yes there will be excesses on both sides at times but overall it seems to be more constructive than it once was.
