[xg15]

> I think it is well understood in economic theory that when you can prevent competition in the marketplace, you can charge significantly more for for your product/service.

Well yes, that's how unions work. What kind of bargaining power would they have otherwise?

> After all, if the people making 1/3 the amount the union workers were making were allowed to take the jobs in the auto industry, they would. Who wouldn't want to triple their income by simply changing employers?

What keeps them from joining the union and then taking the jobs?