Places where "right-to-work" is actually popular

[DC Al Fine]

Additionally, the union most poor people are likely to be forced into, if they are ever forced into a union, is the United Food and Commercial Workers, which is evil and will take $500 a year from you in return for "negotiating" a wage which is usually lower than competing non-union business. So given the choice between being forced to join a crappy union and keeping your pay, people choose to keep their pay.

Indeed. I was briefly a member of a union, and I just loved paying unions dues to make $1/hr less than my private sector friend in a similar job.

[DC Al Fine]

Additionally, the union most poor people are likely to be forced into, if they are ever forced into a union, is the United Food and Commercial Workers, which is evil and will take $500 a year from you in return for "negotiating" a wage which is usually lower than competing non-union business. So given the choice between being forced to join a crappy union and keeping your pay, people choose to keep their pay.

Indeed. I was briefly a member of a union, and I just loved paying unions dues to make $1/hr less than my private sector friend in a similar job.

GROSSLY uncharacteristic pay discrepancy if true.

Sure, but its an example fitting with Mortimer's larger point. Unions aren't magic and can only exploit existing conditions. In certain low skill, low wage industries, their benefit is questionable.