[hugh3]

Unions on both sides of the Atlantic have made huge strategic errors in the last three decades that have eroded much of their influence, relevance and power.

Probably not strategic errors so much as natural consequences of the fact that the interests of the people running the union at any given time are not quite aligned with the interests of the union.

[evangineer]

Yep, our old friend the Principal-Agent problem strikes again. Misalignment of interests leads to decisions that aren't to the long-term benefit of the organization.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal-agent_problem