Unions would be much more attractive if US were an open shop country. Instead, we’re closed shop, which means that, once a union is in place, you can’t choose to join a different union. This routinely leads to situations where corrupt unions abuse their own members.
For an example of how this works in practice, look at the UAW’s conduct with UC’s grad students.
Years ago, they negotiated salary caps for grad students, and then negotiated contracts that severely cut health care benefits for women over their own members’ objections. Getting anything done involves baroque red tape, so even complaining about this sort of thing would take dozens of people multiple months (and almost certainly wouldn’t cause the union bosses to take action).
Recently, they ratified contracts when the rank and file protested at union meetings, and some UC campuses voted against the contract.
This led to illegal “wildcat” strikes where the students walked out because they couldn’t pay rent. The university then fired them.
This was only possible because of closed shops. If people want to switch unions, they should be allowed to.
For an example of how this works in practice, look at the UAW’s conduct with UC’s grad students.
Years ago, they negotiated salary caps for grad students, and then negotiated contracts that severely cut health care benefits for women over their own members’ objections. Getting anything done involves baroque red tape, so even complaining about this sort of thing would take dozens of people multiple months (and almost certainly wouldn’t cause the union bosses to take action).
Recently, they ratified contracts when the rank and file protested at union meetings, and some UC campuses voted against the contract.
This led to illegal “wildcat” strikes where the students walked out because they couldn’t pay rent. The university then fired them.
This was only possible because of closed shops. If people want to switch unions, they should be allowed to.