I don't see unions having the power people are saying they have. A union can't strike over anything pertaining to money. Wages, insurance costs, retirement all fall under the category of economic strike. That's what happened to the guys at PPG. PPG took them to court and the strike was declared economic. Once that happens the striking workers can be terminated and replaced. I'm not saying unions don't strike over money, but if they do once the company gets it to court they will pretty much have to go back to work.
In regards to jobs going overseas I don't think American workers can compete with the wages in India and China whether we're talking union or non -union. Those people make pennies compared to us. Also environmental regulations here add to the cost of operating a plant versus India and China. My plant has an entire unit built to remove sulfur from our waste gas stream before it is sent into the atmosphere. This wouldn't be required in China. That adds to the cost of building the plant and running it, plus fines when the unit goes down.
I'm not saying unions were or were not to blame for Hostess shutting down, I'm just trying to bring out some facts besides just saying unions are evil or unions help the working man.
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