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There is a world of difference between the trade unions and the rest of the unions even today.
The trade unions have many flaws. Some of them in my area are hard to get into if you are the wrong ethnic group. And they have some really stupid rules. But having said all that, they provided some really valuable services even for the consumers.
At least in my area, if someone is a union journeyman, you know they are qualified to do the job. Most of the best tradesman that I know are either ex-military or trade union (although to be fair, the absolute best tradesman that I have ever worked with is neither).
This is because for all there flaws trade unions at least work to make sure that they have an educated work force. And any one in the trades knows how hard it is to get a trades person who knows their trade these days. Thus, for all they demand in wages and stupid rules at least they give something back in the form a skilled work force.
My union does not do anything in terms of quality control. As such, we are deservedly known as a bunch of losers.
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