Hi Bob; Thanks for your response. Yep, no question that some people get hurt in work stopages like those two examples you described. Airlines and UPS. That is the strikers ultimate weapon. Without it, strikers have no leverage. I note that you chose your examples very carefully and did not mention strikes that did not affect you. However, having said that, let me also say that without the unions in this country, you may not have received those merit raises. Non-union companys do that to keep the unions out.... and that's good in some cases. Did you ever think that perhaps you got those raises because of the company's fear of a union coming on property? Years ago, when there were no unions, when companys ran "sweat shops", I doubt if you would have received those merit raises. There's an old union saying that goes somthing like, "a rising tide lifts all boats". (even non-union boats) Had it not been for unions, in my opinion, I doubt that this country would have risen to the socio-economic levels that we enjoy today. One final thought; I didn't start this thread, GENE DID!