The unions are looked down upon because ofthe people that abuse them. When the unions were formed, they were based on high integrity and workers rights. Im a member of the IBEW.I DO NOT AGREE HOW MY UNION IS RUN 100% but i believe in what it stands for. In my line of work, if we were not unionized, these contractors would work us for peanuts. We have to be protected against that. We do not ask for unrealistic pay or unrealistic benefits, just what we have earned. In my line of work, unless you are trained properly and taught the right way to do things,you will get yourself or someone else killed. I went through 5 years of school and training to learn toto my job the right way and the safe way. That is unheard of in nonunion contractors. Not everything about unions are bad guys. Your not gonna get rich working in a union but i cant say the same for the owners of these companies. skilled labor. Isnt cheap and cheap labor isnt skilled. I have busted my ass to make the pay and benifits that i make today. Ive earned it.