The dark side huh? It's not exactly black an white or light and dark......more shades of gray than anything Let us take the Baseball players "Union" as an extreme example. As I see it all Unions have two major things in common;

1)They consider themselves the best in their field
and have convinced many others that they are.
2)Have enough numbers to make a difference as a group i.e. strength in numbers.

Being the best creates a demand for their skill. When you go to the ballpark you know you are paying a lot but you are getting the best show that baseball can provide.(Nevermind that it doesn't apply to me coming from Chicago and being a Cub fan.)

The owners of these teams have steadily bowed to the players requests for ever larger salaries over the years. The players believe they are worth millions of dollars why? Because the environment they created allows it to happen. When the players Union announces a strike it is always because the players want more or the Owners argue that they need something to make their businesses more profitable or just to break even.

What is the result? It makes a 75 cent hot dog cost $4.75, a beer cost $7.00, and a nosebleed seat $27.00!
Yet the ballparks are filled. Ironically, America's pastime is watched live less and less by true fans and more and more by businessmen and people with money to burn. Note the cost of season tickets and corporate skyboxes.

Collective Bargaining is method by which owners negotiate wages with Union members. Each side must agree to the terms. When they don't you get picket lines. Eventually one side or the other has to break down. Now if you have a couple million in the bank you can probably afford to wait a while right? Owners often break down first because the demand is there. They raise the cost of everything so that an evening at the ballpark with the family takes half a weeks pay for the average man.

As long as this cycle remains possible it will continue.

Where do you see strong Unions now? Chicago, Philadelphia, New York. Lots of work to do and many many members. Each convinced they're the best. Each will walk away with the group if they feel mistreated. Their owners, in an effort to keep their companies, find ways to pass on the cost.

Where are Unions weak? Rural areas where there are fewer people creating less demand where jobs are needed badly leaving wages depressed and Unions essentially powerless.

Bottom line you can get what you are worth in your area. If you are the best and people are willing to pay for your services then you'll get it. This is all that Unions are doing, they have simply found a way to make themselves needed more than wanted. Owners don't want to pay the big bucks, they have to....and then again they don't! See? The conditions allow it.

Remember being Non-Union isn't against the law. You are free to operate your business just as any other under the laws that our Government has mandated.
But without the Union, in order to get the big bucks and the benefits you have to personally make your owner know that there isn't another guy like you waiting outside the door ready to work for less. You really do have to be the best.

The Union will fight for whatever wages and benefits they are able to, sometimes to a fault. But you should find a way to work yourself up to their wage level rather than convincing yourself that Union members are overpaid.