Unions...

Unions have been the news a lot lately. If you didn't already know that, you must be living under a rock. No offense to those who live under rocks.

Here is what I know about Unions:
   They were formed in the 1800's to combat unfair and unsafe working conditions.
   They fought for shorter work days (first lowered to 10 hours from 12 then Congress approved the standard 8 hour day)
   They represented the employees of certain companies when negotiating for higher wages and benefits.
   They supported the enactment of OSHA, 40 hour work weeks and minimum wage.

That's about it. I remember learning about the deplorable working conditions in factories during the industrial revolution. We had to read The Jungle, which was gross, and how it lead to workers rights and what we now know as the standard work week.

It seems to me, if it hadn't been for unions in the early part of last century, we might not have weekends, companies contributing to medical benefits & retirements plans and Labor Day. They were a necessity in a time when there were no laws protecting employees and employers. They fought for better working conditions for everyone, and got them!

Here is where I get a little confused:

•    If the unions wanted better working conditions, benefits and workers rights and got them, why are they still around? We have laws now protecting us from exploitation. So, they won, right? Why do we still have unions?
•    If we live in a free country, but your state contracts with unions, do you have to join? If so, why?
•    Is there a union that works? Are there unions that don't bankrupt companies and states?
•    What are the real benefits of keeping unions around? (keeping in mind that we have laws protecting employees now.)
• If unions went the way of the dodo, what would happen? (Seriously, no inflated, paranoid rantings like those who post on social media sites. I want to know what would REALLY happen.)

I'm not trying to anger and/or annoy anyone. I seriously want answers to the above questions. My intentions are not to alienate my friends or readers.

It's no secret that I am a fiscal conservative and I'm proud to support the Tea Party and 9/12 projects. However, that doesn't make me or anyone I associate with close-minded. I am, as of this moment, of the opinion that unions have out grown their usefulness and should be disolved. BUT! I COULD BE WRONG! If there are rational, persuasive answers to the above questions, I'd like to hear them.

Let's keep this civil people, I'm not trying to change your mind, don't get mad if you don't change mine.
PEACE!