Comparing Google to auto manufacturers that employ mostly union labor is not fair because the supply and demand curve for employees is completely different. When a potential employee goes into an interview at Google he/she knows that they are in short supply and high demand. This gives him/her leverage to negotiate salary, work conditions, etc. Google provides such a great work environment because they know this and are proactively meeting the demands of the candidates they're trying to attract.
Most employees at auto manufacturers do not have this same leverage. They can't threaten to leave for higher salaries or better working conditions because they are in large supply, small demand. Forming a union gives them this leverage so that they can negotiate at the same level as their employer.
I feel like the negativity towards unions is a result of some recently holding more power than the employers and getting unsustainable pensions and other extravagant benefits. But when the balance of power is closer then unions have been successful and often in necessary in making sure that employees are working in a safe environment, getting paid a living wage and generally not being taken advantage of.
TLDR; Labor unions are not all bad/good. They simply give employees the same leverage as their employers in industries where the supply for workers outnumbers the demand. It's not good for that balance to get out of hand in either direction.
Wages are just part of the supply / demand curve. At the high end it's worth a lot of managment overhead to keep people happy, at the low end there is little incentive to do so.
Most employees at auto manufacturers do not have this same leverage. They can't threaten to leave for higher salaries or better working conditions because they are in large supply, small demand. Forming a union gives them this leverage so that they can negotiate at the same level as their employer.
I feel like the negativity towards unions is a result of some recently holding more power than the employers and getting unsustainable pensions and other extravagant benefits. But when the balance of power is closer then unions have been successful and often in necessary in making sure that employees are working in a safe environment, getting paid a living wage and generally not being taken advantage of.
TLDR; Labor unions are not all bad/good. They simply give employees the same leverage as their employers in industries where the supply for workers outnumbers the demand. It's not good for that balance to get out of hand in either direction.