Unions weaken U.S. ability to compete

In the 1970s, I worked at the Diamond Reo Trucks factory in Lansing, Mich. As a member of a union my job was to make 50 front-end fenders during each night shift I worked, no more, no less. It took me about 21/2 hours to complete my 50 fenders and for the rest of my 61/2-hour shift I hung out in the break room playing cards and drinking coffee with other union members. I could have made at least 100 additional fenders during my "break time" but the union wouldn't allow it.

At one point in history unions played an important role in protecting the American worker. But by forcing workers to join the union, and to follow their rules, unions ultimately weakened American competitiveness in the global economy. In my opinion, Michigan made the correct move by enacting the "right-to-work" bill.