Not really- non-compete agreements are very hard to enforce in many jurisdictions, and even where enforceable are limited in scope- you might be able to go from

Not really- non-compete agreements are very hard to enforce in many jurisdictions, and even where enforceable are limited in scope- you might be able to go from working on a check clearing system at one company to another company working on a check clearing system, but going from working on a check clearing system to working on software for medical equipment is going to be OK. Also, unions may not necessarily be interested in ending non-compete- they have a vested interest on keeping union employees within union employers. Your other two examples are completely different- while your statements are true for a single given employer, there are plenty of other employers out there willing to pay a roughly comparable wage. If you want to a side gig and your current employer won't allow it, you can start submitting resumes. If you don't want to transfer, you can start applying to other companies in your current location, or go for remote work. There is no equivalent in sport- US Professional sport leagues have a monopoly exemption approved by congress.