"So you don’t think they care that their members can keep their jobs long-term? Is that not in their interest?"
I don't care one way or the other. I'm saying that a Union is an organized body of power that protects it's own self-interest, and nobody else's.
"To imply that all unions without fail will push for maximum possible compensation in the short-term, at the expense of any other concern, "
I didn't write or imply that.
I'm wrote that Unions will use their power to maximize the returns above all else. Obviously, if they try to negotiate $200K salaries for their staff, they know they will be out of jobs.
However - every single dollar of profit to shareholders, added surplus to buyers/suppliers would be considered 'their money' in this equation, to the extent they can, they'll want to take all of those surpluses - exactly like other participants. Do you think their suppliers will sell for a dime less than they can? Will their customers pay a dollar more than they have to? Will management want to pay more than they have to?
A Union is not a benevolent thing, it's just a power centre acting in it's own interest and that's it.
Well, that’s how I interpreted it, in large part because you flat-out replied ”this is definitely not true” to the person who was making the point I pretty much reiterated in response to you.
> A Union is not a benevolent thing, it's just a power centre acting in it's own interest
Yes, the interest of its members, which is the whole point.
So you don’t think they care that their members can keep their jobs long-term? Is that not in their interest?
To imply that all unions without fail will push for maximum possible compensation in the short-term, at the expense of any other concern, is simplified to such a degree that it no longer matches reality.