... the plant closed. Most likely poor management & failure to invest in modernizing. You can bet those managers got their salaries & bonuses as well as relocation packages to a new site.

Unions have more expenses during downturns than during good times -- a lot of paperwork to process as well as increased greivances. On top of that there are fewer dues paying members to support the staff doing the work.

There are a lot of "stories" about why unions are no good -- usually circulated by third parties as justification for their personal positions. What about the thousands who have had their jobs saved from the unjust actions of egotistical or misinformed bosses?

There have been corrupt Unions and there have been malicious bosses. That is human nature. The situation is better now than in the past -- Union Members are more intelligent & sophisticated and management is more attuned to the needs of their employees -- but bad things continue to occur, especially in large companies where consistancy of enforcement is an ongoing problem.