Labor unions have always been an oddity to me. Of course I grew up in a Southern "right to work" state where unions are rare to begin with. I also quit my paper route and got a real job at the age of 14. I lied about my age so that I wouldn't have to get a "work permit" and live with the work restrictions and reduced hours that came along with it. Even at an early age I figured that it was my labor and I'd sell as much of it as I want. Why should I ask for government permission? (Did I also mention that I'm now a member of management?)

So it comes as no surprise that I don't understand unions. I realize that they had their place in time, but in a service driven market economy unionization seems like a complete oddity. Although when I shop at Giant (a union grocery store) I do refuse to take my cart back up to the store and be guilty of robbing a union brother of his job. I also refuse to use those self-checkout lanes. But I digress.

When I read about the Mechanic's union (AMFA) striking at Northwest airlines, I was surprised to read that other unions are not supporting the strike. Apparently the AMFA used competitive presssure to "steal" union employees from other unions that were making concessions to [evil] management. It's like a free market paradox.

Then there's this:

Northwest also sought to lay off about 2,000 workers, almost halving a workforce that is already half the size it was in 2001. The cuts would be concentrated among cleaners and custodians; Northwest has said other airlines use contractors to do that work for less...

After talks broke off late Friday, union negotiator Jim Young said the mechanics would rather see the airline go into bankruptcy than agree to Northwest's terms.

Now that's negotiation. It's like asking workers if they want to be shot in the arm or the leg. They'd rather all union brothers lose their job instead of just some of them. The scenario where all workers keep their job is unrealistic, unless of course they can talk the flying public into paying higher airfares. As air travel becomes a commodity with very little differentiation between airlines, customers are choosing to fly based on price. Hell, you don't even get a meal any more, so you might as well take the cheapest flight that meets your city and timetable requirements.