So, are unions a good or a bad thing?

Very good concept, at least in the skilled trades.

That's the problem I think modern unions have actually. Too little focus on skilled trades and physically dangerous jobs. Too much on white collar and clerical bullshit like writers, teachers, government clerks, etc.

I'm a millennial and I cannot remember a nationally high profile strike that wasn't about something like that writers one from the 2000s, a grocery store workers strike that happened in my home town, or the habitual teachers strikes that seem to happen seasonally.

WTF happened?

So how does a union get concessions it's supped to be getting (there is no reason to organize a union other than to gain concessions from employees on certain issues) without the ability to strike?

So white collar workers don't deserve protection?

Idk, but they shouldn't come first/be the primary recipients of that protection. Right now I'd say they are, and yes, that's a problem because it comes at the detriment of blue collar labor and workers with more dangerous professions.

Also my point does just complain about white collar jobs, it's about menial jobs like fast food workers and cleaning ladies.

This and to collect dues. I used to cook at a union hotel. Corporate and the union got into an argument over the new contract so the union went to our biggest accounts and told them corporate is "mistreating" employees. That resulted in a lack of banquets so we got laid off for two months and unemployment barely paid shit so I had to sell my plasma.
Other than that I will admit that I was overpaid and had really good benefits and if my boss was being an asshole all I had to do was threaten to call my union rep he would fuck off and not even talk to me for a week. I kind of miss it desu.

Each industry has it's own union. There's no cross-field dispersal for treatment.

The idea, as long as it is private sector, is fine. The issues are implementation, leadership, public sector ones, and taking fees out of earning of those who do not qualify to join the union. Also, treating them as "brotherhoods" is creepy and overlooks conflicts and profound disagreements amongst coworkers and colleagues and I especially say that since I had to work with some really scummy shitheads in the past who I would never call "brother" or "fellow member of the working class."

Also, guilds are fine as long as they do not become monopolies. In fact, I hope to achieve certification in CNC machining and work as an independent contractor but may need to join a guild or craft union for insurance.

Oh on a side note, Trumka of the AFL-CIO should be removed and thrown in prison for his corruption and the UFCW should be replaced with unions that operate within their respective companies since the UFCW screwed over members and tends hold two contracts: one the voting members see and the other the lawyers see.

They played a very important role in the foundation of worker's rights. Now, they are fucking cancer.

I'm not saying one sector or industry doesn't have less union representation, I mean in terms of actual influence and power. It's all with the clerical and public sector stuff post 1990s. Like I said previously, can't think of a high profile coal miners' or manufacturers' strike in the past 20 years where the owners were shitting their pants.

Can think of plenty ones where people like writers or teachers were striking and there was attention given.

Unions make it impossible to fire people for being assholes. So you end up with a bunch of high seniority assholes who disregard most rules with impunity. They do bullshit that would get others fired, but get their job back and set the precedent. Then in response the company does jewy stuff to avoid whatever the situation was to begin with and the work environment gets to be like a kindergarten classroom and ever increasing scrutiny like a prison.