It depends on which union and which leaders you're talking about. Some welcome the free exchange of ideas, and protect every provision of the contract and every member's job with equal vigor. Others are little more than high-fallutin' "social clubs" that serve little practical purpose other than to sign you up for an expensive magazine subscription and give you a cute little pin to stick on your lapel. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you're management) "Darwinism" seems to impact the latter-type unions more severely than the former-type. They don't last long, or if they do, they're effectively neutered, and become "porch dogs"

"What if you disagree with union leaders?"

Go rent the movie "Serpico"

Frank Serpico knocking on armed, crack-dealer's door = Union member who disagreed with union leadership.

Five guy's picking noses, looking other way pretending not to see while Frank Serpico knocks = Union leadership.


The effectiveness of a union really depends on the integrity and resolve of it's leaders, and frankly, I'm not convinced that pilots in general are particularly adept at choosing theirs.