[loewenskind]

The way to fight employer abuse is the same as it's always been: forming a union.

As far as "still not hurt our bosses and companies in the process", you will do exactly that. That money they save by getting you to do the hours of 2 people isn't just laying on the ground. It's going somewhere. So if you want the company to pay you more or hire the amount of people they actually need to let everyone work more reasonable hours then they either have to raise their prices or cut costs somewhere.

[atiw]

Right. I was referring more to the whole "Unions tend to go more towards some sort of combo of blackmail/ bribery".

Or they just end up being controlled by a few union leaders, and then we are serving another middle man (union leader), who is probably only making himself richer in the process.

I have this feeling that usually unions tend to grab attention of more cunning people, who know how to play that system in their favor mostly, thereby hurting both the employer and the employee, in a even more hidden manner.

Of course, I have never been part of one, so this "opinion" of mine about unions is what I formed from hearing about 'em. Correct me if I am wrong.

[loewenskind]

This is certainly the case in some places, but I don't think it's like that everywhere nor has to be. If you don't want unions then the next option is to make the government protect the workers directly, but I don't see that as an option in the US. At least not today.