I will keep this story short. Just an example of how trade unions work for the working class.
At the facility where I work, I am employed by one of the many contractors there who all hire out of the same union hall. One of my customers doesn't like to pay our wages and the GM is very anti-union.
After calling me a couple times this morning at 2:30 I respond to his text. A process is down and needs it fixed, NOW. I say ok, that will require me and two more guys. All at time and a half. I tell him if it can wait for the normal 7am start time it will be straight time pay.
He responds that we need to do it now, 2 guys only, and straight time only. I tell him, again as I have several times before, that is not how any of this works. He informs me he is going to call another contractor to come in and do it. I reapond by saying he is welcome to, and that is his right. But good luck getting another contractor who hires out of our hall to do what you would like.
I didn't hear from him again until 7:30 this morning when he asked if I could please get a crew over to fix his problem.
Strong unions guarantee our rights. And I have the right to sleep through the night, or get paid for not getting to.