What is a worker's union? How does it internally work? How can a union make the affiliated company do stuff to benefit the union(why can"t a company just say: f*ck off to their demands)?

Fat Tony@lemmy.world to No Stupid Questions@lemmy.world – 133 points –
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They try. They hire temp workers known as scabs to try and continue producing. These individuals are looked upon as scum. Scabs are looked down on and become pariah of there town so not many people are willing to become scabs. Without workers willing to become scabs the company is forced to come to the table out of necessity.

Got a real stupid follow-up question: besides asking in an interview or discovering the fact in the news or a web search, is there a way to know if the reason a company is hiring because the union members left?

What is stopping the company from hiding this fact? I want to believe it works but every time I am hopeful about something like this working there is something I am missing that makes things business as usual.

It would be pretty obvious as you would most likely be walking through a picket line if you where hired as a scab. This is known as crossing the line and is a sure way to get labeled a scab.

Thank you for answering my stupid question, that makes a lot of sense.

I mainly wanted to make sure I wouldn't inadvertently weaken a union. I recognize I miss a LOT of things that are obvious to others but I am trying to learn. Being autistic and raised in a very conservative household has necessitated me having to think carefully about the life lessons I was taught and to logically work through cognitive shortcuts as I identify them.