I wonder if you've ever actually worked in a unionized workplace. I used to be a teacher in Oakland, CA, and I was part of the contract negotiation (bargaining)

I wonder if you've ever actually worked in a unionized workplace. I used to be a teacher in Oakland, CA, and I was part of the contract negotiation (bargaining) team. I was elected to that position and it was unpaid. For bigger locals than mine there are certainly paid negotiators. That makes sense, because you're bargaining with management, who is paid to negotiate with you. You generally don't want amateurs (like me!) with no experience going up against professionals who are trained and coached in contract negotiation. > an uncheckable form of power for the individuals who run the union > I'd be curious for union models which effectively empower a check on union power by the workers. I'm not sure you understand what a union is. Most positions of power (the "individuals" I understand you to be referring to above) are elected. Sure there are bureaucrats who are appointed rather than elected. But what's the alternative? The workplace has its own power structure and, to be effective, a union generally needs its own. Don't like it? Run for a position in the union and change it!