sc94597 said:
Unions affect the wages of people who don't work in them. See: https://apwu.org/news/new-report-proves-how-unions-raise-bar-all-workers |
The article provides no proof of that statement beyond "Even when not part of a union, workers see their wages benefit from high union density on the state level. The average median weekly wages are $1,121.70 a week in the 10 states with the strongest union density versus $942.70 a week for those in the 10 lowest union density states in 2020." Which means nothing without greater context. Does that statistic include only non-union workers? Does it adjust for cost of living across different cities and states? What the GDPs of these unnamed states?
Even if you disregard the fact there are 'lies, damned lies, and statistics' it still doesn't matter for my career. I'm a pharmacist and we've largely been self-employed for the past century. Nowadays that isn't as common, but even so the companies that employ us have little choice but to bargain with us individually as we are not easily replaceable. When I wanted to change cities, I checked and found that there were open positions in my desired city so I went to my superior and told him that he had one month to transfer me or I was moving there with another company. One month later I was in that city with my desired position.
I'm no Ancap; like anyone with sense I believe the market should be regulated and people should have the choice to collectively bargain. But I've also seen firsthand what corrupt unions did to the Rustbelt and I'd never join a profession where the union was mandatory. Because if the union is mandatory then you don't get the option to walk away if they cease to represent your interests. You're beholden to them even moreso than any company and woe betide you if you cross the union's bosses.
