At a mine -- doing paperwork upstairs, or, in the mine proper? Historically the work has always been dangerous and the union was about all there was between the miners and death. Read these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Big_Branch_Mine_disaster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_River_Mine_disaster
There are a lot of recent mine accidents to choose from. Look around.
When you pay your dues, you are paying for a voice advocating safety. The company top management will ignore their own middle management. It is a lot easier for the union to advocate in favor of safety than the middle managers who live in fear of getting fired or demoted if they appear to be too safety conscious and not cost conscious enough.
In theory, as some posters have noted, you shouldn't need unions. After all, in a free labor market, you can just quit and take another job. That's true in Silicon Valley, but, not in the average mining town.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Big_Branch_Mine_disaster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_River_Mine_disaster
There are a lot of recent mine accidents to choose from. Look around.
When you pay your dues, you are paying for a voice advocating safety. The company top management will ignore their own middle management. It is a lot easier for the union to advocate in favor of safety than the middle managers who live in fear of getting fired or demoted if they appear to be too safety conscious and not cost conscious enough.
In theory, as some posters have noted, you shouldn't need unions. After all, in a free labor market, you can just quit and take another job. That's true in Silicon Valley, but, not in the average mining town.