From my personal (limited) research and observations. I am in no way an expert. Unions originally seem to have made a very positive impact on the working condi

From my personal (limited) research and observations. I am in no way an expert. Unions originally seem to have made a very positive impact on the working conditions of workers. Just think of the horrible situation of steel workers (and others) during the start of the industrial revolution. Workers organized to make a change and improve their lot. Fast forward a few decades: Unions seem to have become self-sustained entities whose incentive have switched from helping workers, to sustaining the union's economic interests. They also sometimes help some workers, but it's not free. There is a very well known case in Quebec, Canada. It's the Gaspesia debacle: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/gaspesia-mill-bailout-is-a-lesson-in-failure-likely-to-go-unheeded/article747046/ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-comme... "Work on the mill conversion began in the spring of 2002. From the beginning, the project -- established as a limited partnership 50 per cent owned by the Fonds de solidarité with the SGF and Tembec each holding 25-per-cent stakes -- was plagued by delays and mismanagement. The FTQ was accused of blocking workers affiliated with other unions from getting construction jobs on the site. Contractors complained that workers were paid for eight-hour days, but put in only three hours of productive labour." This is only the tip of the Iceberg, and illustrates why there seems a negative perception of unions.