I'd argue that unions cause more problems than they solve. They may not have always been like this, but they're simply anachronistic in a highly dynamic, transportable, rapidly changing economy. They act as a special interest for members at the detriment of non-members

I think perhaps the problem is that we believe we live in a society where employers can abuse employees. We may have at one point, but no longer do. Individuals in virtually every field have incredible bargaining power. Unions have become the faction of "how can we keep things the way they've always been no matter what?"

There has been recent union/Boeing trouble in WA. Every year or so this happens. Keeping in mind that I ultimately do not know enough of the issue to say for certain, it sounds to me like the union created a problem after all parties had already agreed and that Boeing hasn't gotten any stingier but has to change payouts due to the changing economic environment