Such a strategy widens the gap between employees entering the labor force and those with vested protection under their collective agreements. Since the last recession, we have seen a widening gap between old and young workers as well as the growth of the non-union service sector which primarily employs new entrants into the labor market. The current militancy at the bargaining table will add to the barriers to entry into the more secure unionized manufacturing jobs. In effect, unions have embarked on a path which will further divide the labor force. It is not surprising that the number of non-union workers has grown twice as fast as the number of unionized workers.
Unions have the right to decide what to demand from employers in collective bargaining.
The size of the former group is diminishing as compared to the latter. Both unions and employers are harmed by such a result. Ultimately, the influence of trade unionism in the labor market will lessen, and unionized employers facing higher wage demands will be under an increasing competitive disadvantage as compared to non-union employers.