Labor Unions - are you for or against it and why?

[A Theist]

I must have gone away when this thread started. Obviously I am pro-union.
All of the benefits the worker anywhere in the world has managed to win has been through struggle and through acting collectively and not as a result of largesse on the part of the employer.
Unions, Strong Unions are vital to stop exploitation of the workforce.
It amazes me that any worker would choose not to be part of the Union, if only for the selfish reason of protection and support if the employer wrongs him/her. I support the idea of the " closed shop " where a Union has sole representation rights at a business. ( for those that don't know, this means you MUST be in the Union to work there ). I resent " freeloaders " who will not join the Union, not take industrial action when agreed and yet are happy to take any gains made by their fellow workers acting in unity.
" Workers of the world unite! " as Marx so inspiringly put it.

I resent " freeloaders " who will not join the Union, not take industrial action when agreed and yet are happy to take any gains made by their fellow workers acting in unity.

Indeed. Not only that, but they're also the same ones who will assist company management in illegal activity to discourage the union organizing process... and as you stated, they'll happily share in the gains made by those who struggled for the union effort. I am a proud supporter of the AFL-CIO / RWDSU.