[zig]

There is somewhat of a stigma regarding government employees because they are mainly unionized and impossible to fire.

They can pretty much get away with anything short of criminal activity (and sometimes even that). What incentive do they have for being polite? It sucks but they aren't paid as well as private sector and they don't really care.

[wpietri]

I think you're being overly reductionist here. Has every rude service interaction you've had come from a union worker? Has all good service come from non-union workers?

That's certainly not the case for me.