Just setting here at my overpaid union machinist job, which would be the same thing I used to do at my non-union job but about 11 per hour more, and when the boss walks by he is very happy that my machine, and others, is making him plenty of money.
One thing that has yet to be discussed about unions is they were the precursor to ISO 9000, 9002 etc. The companies we deal with demand quality and assume that would come with training afforded through union apprenticeships.
While I too piss and moan about my union dues every month, and the lack of union support that used to be a given, this union shop has continued to employ all workers through the recession and recovery whereas the other shops I have worked at had significant reductions in the work force. IMO that means customers, when times get tough, are buying fron shops where quality is demanded.