>It certainly wasn't the case in the era I'm reading about (US Civil War to WWII)
>
>Got it. There was a good reason for labor unionism once. Some would say there still is.

I would agree that in the past unions have achieved much.. However nowerdays, they seem to do more harm than any good. Up here they are over-protecting the pension rights of elder employees, while totally ignoring the problem of an ageing population... affordability. The young generation will get the bill of the messup. Some say that union only protect the interest of the older employees and having no eye for the younger generation. There seems to be a disconnect between the two.

I guess unions will be further marginalised in the Netherlands, unless the change course very quickly.

Walter,