On Monday, April 25, 2016 at 8:47:10 PM UTC-4, Stephen Sprunk wrote:   
      
      
   > The point of a strike (or threat thereof) is to get mgmt to agree   
   >  to your contract terms; while that contract in in place, though,   
   >  there is rarely a legitimate reason for one.   
      
   Unfortunately, these days it has become popular for employers   
   to disregard the terms of an existing contract, sometimes   
   quietly, but sometimes overtly.  Sometimes it is necessary   
   for the union to threaten a strike to ensure the contract   
   terms are maintained.   
      
   > Unions offer services to members (e.g. dispute resolution, fringe   
   >  benefits, lobbying, etc.) that go beyond just collective   
   >  bargaining. In agency shops, non-members' agency fees cover only   
   >  the latter, whereas members' dues also cover the   
   >  former.   
      
      
   It is a shame unions are so screwed up and have a bad reputation.   
   Far too many workplaces these days really could use union protection.   
   However, a modern union would have to break with the past and be   
   far more cost efficient (not coddling union officers or the national   
   union), and make sensible proposals with realistic economics.   
      
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