Unions are just another group of people, with leaders and political aims and a focus on advancing their own interests. (This isn't a judgment - management does

Unions are just another group of people, with leaders and political aims and a focus on advancing their own interests. (This isn't a judgment - management does this, and non-unionized workers do this too). I've seen unions mired in bureaucracy and questionable decisions, just as I've seen unions with an honest interest in advocating for their members (for example, legally defending members from bizarre attacks from the public and unfounded criticism). When the leadership and rank-and-file act intelligently, then unions work well. When they operate in bureaucratic and self-serving ways, then they break down and lose public support.