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>I suspect that the unions would get very upset if a construction company used non-union helpers.

There hasn't been a union construction job in NJ in decades.
My community consists of 270 units built by one of the largest builders in the US.
I was an early resident so I saw most of it go up and talked to many of the construction people.
Not a single one belonged to a union.
That was unthinkable until the 1970's and 1980's when Nixon and Reagan started rolling back union power.
Now, outside of cities like NYC and Chicago and government projects, the construction unions are basically defunct.

>>If one does not like his or her situation, one should take steps to change it
I agree. I like your story .. it sounds a bit like mine.
But changing it today is a different ballgame.
College costs are insane.
Yes, it can be done and some are doing it, but the hill is a lot steeper.