4zzt, this was posted by anonymous on this board eight months ago, still holds true today, and will hold true 50 years from now, but you'll never acknowledge its validity so, for you, the words are likely wasted, falling on deaf ears:
Hey cnn and icd, the day you're facing a layoff, I suspect your eyes will finally be opened and you'll be regretting the fact that you were so ignorant regarding the benefits of being unionized, that you looked down your nose at us, and advocated for our downfall.
You see, if you were Union and were facing the prospect of being laid off, it would be fought tooth and nail. Further, in a union environment, were a company successful in initiating a layoff, there would be zero arbitrariness to it that would leave one wondering why they were targeted. However the system, without a union, is very subjective - they don't like you, you're out. You don't brown nose - your out. You're older - you're out. You're paid too much, or have too much vacation - you're out. You slipped up once, after years of good reviews, you're out.
It's a fundamentally unfair system as opposed to the last in, first out one adhered to by unions. There are no games of playing favorites. Being the bosses lapdog and s---ing up doesn't increase your longevity. You don't get pushed out because you're a stand up guy/gal, or you make too much. You put in your time, you have your advocate during the journey and, when you're ready to leave and your pension seems reasonable, you leave of your own accord.
Would you go to court without a lawyer? Why go to work without one? Corporations have their's.
It's human nature to band together for mutual benefit. That's why towns and cities form. For mutual exponential gain. That's why nations form. That's why alliances form. That's why monopolies form. It's mirrored throughout the animal kingdom as well, because the simple concept of banding together gives individuals far more benefit than sticking it out alone ever could. It tilts the scale more in your favor, especially when the other side who can oppress you has far deeper pockets and political pull.
Only a masochist wishes harm upon oneself. Don't ever go it alone, if given the choice. Why do you think there's such adamant opposition from companies at the first rumor of a union-forming drive? Think about it.