I should have mentioned that the customers were all members of the Co-op; so that drowned out the votes of the workers. We BADLY needed a union, management was

I should have mentioned that the customers were all members of the Co-op; so that drowned out the votes of the workers. We BADLY needed a union, management was only interested in serving themselves, which they could do well enough 'cause few members voted. Remember that corruption and Co-ops have a long history in the U.S - early Life Insurance companies, many of which survive, were formed as Co-ops 'cause they founders knew the policy holders wouldn't show up to vote: therefore management could pay themselves very well and structure the company to serve themselves.