A union’s value is already questionable in a changing economy. As jobs become more mechanized and employers reward more productive workers, unions’ economic model becomes harder to justify. This may be why many people support unions in the abstract but don’t want to join one themselves.

The UAW won higher wages for its members this fall. But rather than take the win, it became more explicitly progressive, even as its most loyal long-term members—blue-collar workers—become more conservative. Demanding that their members fork over dues that effectively back political causes they might oppose will only further erode union’s support.

[One has to wonder whether the local political pressure in Dearborn played a role in this. Otherwise, it’s tough to think of a bigger non-sequitur than getting the UAW’s perspective on Israel’s national security, made even dumber by their position to let the terrorists of October 7th off the hook and still in charge. — Ed]