I'm generally in favor of unions as private associations (i.e. without government-enshrined powers, or the ability to mandate participation) ... BUT I think we

I'm generally in favor of unions as private associations (i.e. without government-enshrined powers, or the ability to mandate participation) ... BUT I think we have to accept that there's a Principal-Agent problem with unions that is inherent. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal%E2%80%93agent_problem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal%E2%80%93agent_proble... The Union is just another hierarchy. That's partly what makes it effective in negotiating with management and capital. It gains its power initially by persuading workers that it represents their interests, but it is easily corrupted over time by people who benefit from institutional positions within the union -- just like every other hierarchy.