Bob,
I can see you're anti-union. And that's ok. I just don't quite understand your comment about smart workers not needing someone to tell what their worth is. Do you think if i go to some non union outfit and say i'm a hell of a worker, give me 20 bucks an hour, a pension plan and health insurence they'll do it? I think they would laugh in my face. Sure, you may get some lazy people making more then thier worth that way but they get weeded out. I'm currently in the construction field and there's an awfully big difference in pay between union and non union contractors.
Just my opinion
Jess