[chimeracoder]

> Always wondered why aren't (some) unions free, staffed with elected volunteers? Perhaps like a floss project.

In the US, unlike in most other countries, unions usually receive exclusive rights to representation. Decertifying a union is technically possible under the law, but almost impossible in practice, so there's no competition between unions for membership the way that you see in most other countries.

That gives the union very little incentive to keep its fees in check, because there's no risk of members defecting (they're legally required to pay) and essentially no risk of its members choosing to be represented by a different union.

[gsnedders]

What, so in the US people doing a certain type of job at a certain company can only join a single union if one is already recognised by their employer?!

[chimeracoder]

> What, so in the US people doing a certain type of job at a certain company can only join a single union if one is already recognised by their employer?!

Yes.

There are a few exceptions, but by and large: once a union is granted authorization over a bargaining unit, the union exclusively represents all employees included in the bargaining unit (whether or not those employees voted for the union or are members of the union).