Hairtrigger you obviously are not a union member. I have been a union carpenter for 14 years and worked in the same trade for many years before that. I have to work for my check or they will find someone else that will. Have you ever worked with lazy people that weren't in the union? The unions are the same way, some people are hard working and some are lazy and when it comes time to lay off, the lazy ones are the first to go just like in the non-union world. The only difference is we get paid well and have better benefits. Other than that people are people, union or not.
Ive worked overtime at the drop of a hat, 12 hours a day 7 days a week for months on end, consecutive 16+ hour days. 28 hour shifts, 32 hour shifts. One shop I worked in was 10-12 hours 6 days a week and sometimes Sundays for a year and a half straight. So I'm sorry I do take offense at some of the anti-union comments I hear. Now don't get me wrong I worked along side of people just like you describe but they are not me and they are not a good representation of most of the labor force. That lazy union image is intrue and very difficult to get past.
I know this is off topic but.....
Jim Lenten
UNION STEWARD
CARPENTERS LOCAL 1027
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS