[levinb]

The ILWU controls labor at all west coast ports, including LALB, which is responsible for a majority of consumer imports from the Pacific. It has bargained effectively to block developing container handling automation systems.

[BenFranklin100]

“Bargained effectively”? Union boss Harold Daggett extorted the US public by threatening to “cripple the US economy’ if his demands were not met.

[levinb]

I am trying to use more neutral language when I comment, so that the underlying assertion of facts are more likely to resonate with someone who may disagree with me.

I agree with your characterization, but I just wanted the parent comment to look up the ILWU, where they would probably see some of those facts for themselves and be more likely to understand my position.

As the human internet dies, I feel like it's more important for those of us that want some of it to survive to participate constructively.

[BenFranklin100]

Fair enough.

[Moomoomoo309]

That is the leverage unions have. Do you expect them not to use it? The union isn't there to protect the economy, it's to protect its members.

[BenFranklin100]

Please provide me examples where the CEO of a major company threatened to cripple the US economy if his/her demands were not met.

[_DeadFred_]

As opposed to businesses which never use their leverage for the busnisses benefit over the nation as a whole?